Archaeology and the science of the past

Excavating archaeological sites, wherever they might be in the world, offers the opportunity to unearth vital clues that can tell us how people lived thousands of years ago. As well as objects made and used by ancient peoples, archaeologists find organic material, such as plant remains and animal bones, that can give us information about such things as diet and economy. Environmental evidence such as wood, charcoal, pollen, shells and insects, also helps us understand the landscape and climate.

Fieldwork like this might occasionally add objects to the British Museum collection, but most importantly it adds to our understanding and interpretation of existing material and the cultures it represents.
Since 1985 British Museum curator Jonathan N. Tubb has been leading excavations at Tell es Sa'idiyeh in the heart of the central Jordan Valley. This huge double-mound occupies a key strategic position, commanding the crossroads of two major trade routes, and dominating some of the richest and most fertile agricultural land east of the River Jordan. The excavations have revealed evidence of occupation as far back as the Early Bronze Age of the third millennium BC and as recently as the early Islamic period of the seventh century AD.

Careful study has revealed a large and prosperous city dating to around 2900 BC. There is a big palace complex among the remains that has areas set aside for olive oil production and storage, wine-making and textile preparation. These activities were conducted on an industrial scale, showing us that the inhabitants were producing goods for international trade.

Remains from the twelfth century BC include evidence to suggest that Tell es-Sa'idiyeh was a major centre from where Egypt controlled Canaan during the final years of its New Kingdom empire. Substantial architecture, including an elaborate water system and Egyptian-style public buildings have been found, as well as a contemporary cemetery. To date, around 450 graves have been excavated, many of which have unusual Egyptian features, both in terms of the grave-goods and the burial customs.

All finds are carefully documented and analysed and even the most insignificant seeming discoveries can prove vital clues to the past. A fire that swept through part of the Early Bronze Age complex left behind a very rich variety of charred plant material for us to study.

An assortment of fruits, legumes (beans and peas), weed seeds and cereals was found in and around ceramic bowls, juglets, platters and flint knives. Scientific study of these charred remains, using optical microscopy, has shown us not only the main products of the farming economy at the site, but also the everyday ingredients of the Early Bronze Age diet. It included wheat and barley, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans. These people also cultivated fruit including grapes, figs, olives and pomegranate.

This food might have been in the process of being consumed, but a lot of it is suitable for drying and storage. There are raisins, dried figs, cereal grains and pulses. So, perhaps the project unearthed the remains of food store-cupboard.

In either case, we have detailed information about the diet of people who lived at this site many thousands of years ago.