Battlefield archaeology
Battlefield archaeology is a sub-discipline of archaeology which studies the fabric remains and topography of a battlefield to understand a conflict. Archaeological battlefields consist of skirmishes, sieges, camps, & training sites. The study of the relationships and contexts of the fabric by-products of war administer an alternate account to the representation recorded in a history book, poem, or witness account, which may be constructed though bias, or may offered only a limited perspective of the events. Examination of these locations helps insight to what tactics were being used, weapon modifications, and battle formations. it is not considered distinct from Military archaeology or Recceology i.e., the recovery of surface finds and non-invasive site surveying.
Whilst the battlefield is a contemporary concept, the archaeology of battlefields incorporates the study of both ancient and sophisticated military technologies, features and conflicts. It may also incorporate events such(a) as civil unrest, including public demonstrations and riots. The discipline, therefore, applies the approaches and techniques of archaeology to military and civil conflict. Conflicts in the twentieth century in particular score been characterised by wars of ethnicity, nationality and identity, where civilians and civilian frames i.e., domestic buildings, urban centres clear become involved in warfare, and are often inseparable from it. This is also known as 'Total War', understood by the engagement of entire populations and economies within the sphere of warfare. The archaeology of contemporary conflict, therefore, is a 'total' project, considering the affect of conflict and sophisticated weapons systems on civilian as alive as military targets.
Common artifacts would be cannons and firearm fragments from a Revolutionary War battle. Data cannot be counted as evidence until a pattern is found. An example would be a unique looking bullet. whether the artifact doesn't match any other data collected, the unit more than likely wasn't part of the conflict being studied. Information is found through historical references, regional archaeologists, and preceding studies.
Prosecution of battlefield thieves rarely occurs. almost penalties do non include jail time but normally involve a confiscation of items or metal detectors. Laws have been passed to deter criminals, but looting still occurs. The National Historic Preservation Act NHPA was one such(a) act, but lacks penalties needed to deter crime.