Archaeology is important as artifacts from past civilizations are non-renewable and often lost or destroyed without proper procedures. Without archaeology, cultures that did not record events would be considered irrelevant, and understanding the past is tied to the evolution of humans. Measures have been implemented to consult with archaeologists before any work begins to preserve artifacts.
The primary importance of archeology is that the artifacts of previous civilizations are seen as a non-renewable or finite type of resource. Prior to the advent of archeology as a science, and even when proper archaeological procedures are not followed, many unique artifacts relating to a wide range of different customs and lifestyles were lost, broken or looted. The importance of archeology continues to grow due to environmental changes that make archaeological sites irrecoverable.
Archaeologists can only speculate on the amount of cultural evidence that has been lost in this way. In most cases, the Earth is worked hard by a layman who cannot distinguish between dirt and archaeological material. For example, in the United States, many known Native American encampments were run carelessly and not according to archeology protocols, leading to holes in Native American chronology.
The importance of archaeological science is clearly realized in light of the fact that over 99% of humanity lived in primitive cultures, most of which did not write or record events in the traditional sense. Without the use of archeology, discovered cultures that kept no records would be considered mostly irrelevant, in a scientific sense, due to a lack of evidence to examine and compare them to other known cultures of the time. Some researchers emphasize the importance of archeology when articulating the evolutionary process from early humanoids to modern man. The view of many archaeologists is that understanding the past is tied to how humans as a species began to use complex tools and support agriculture.
The tangible importance of archeology has been tested many times over the last few decades. It is sometimes argued that urban sprawl and the need for building materials and other resources obtained from the ground are more pertinent than obtaining manufactured goods. In the specific case of the Native American culture, which often settled in fertile river valleys throughout the United States, it collided with the development of the mining business because the river valleys were found to have a significant abundance of fair minerals and other compounds that could be sold and used in production. Measures have been implemented in recent decades which, perhaps most importantly, require the consultation of archaeological investigators before any work inside the Earth begins. The importance of archeology is emphasized in communicating with developers and other contractors working around the world so that archaeological objects can be preserved in as many cases as possible.
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