Archaeology (Sometimes written as archeology), is a scientific discipline devoted to the excavation, study, and preservation of the artifacts of past human life and civilization. Those who engage in the discipline are called archaeologists.
Archaeological study is conducted on human remains, the tools they used, the structures they built and more. Archaeological study generally is done on pre-modern peoples and artifacts, in which there is little recorded history or information, and archaeology is needed to understand the subject. Artifacts are often stored in Museums, and displayed in exhibits for public viewing and education.
Carbon dating, or radiocarbon dating, is often used by archaeologists to determine the age of an item. Carbon dating can only be done to organic materials, which has carbon 14, which undergoes radioactive decay, and the amount of the isotope in the item. Carbon dating can be used to analyze materials as old as 50,000 years old.
Archaeology is of special importance in Israel, which has a long history and a connection to the bible. Digs have been able to find long lost sites mentioned by the bible and of note to identity of the Jewish people.
