Ethnographic analogy

Ethnographic analogy is a research method used by archaeologists to understand past cultures by comparing ancient artifacts or sites to similar, well-documented cultures still living today. If a current community's practices resemble those seen in ancient times, researchers infer that ancient peoples might have done similar things. It’s like using a known example to interpret an unfamiliar one, helping to fill in missing historical details while acknowledging that cultures evolve and aren’t exactly the same over time.