place-based archaeology

Place-based archaeology is an approach that studies archaeological sites within their specific environmental, cultural, and historical contexts. It emphasizes understanding how a location’s physical features, natural resources, and interactions over time shape human activity and settlement patterns. Rather than examining artifacts in isolation, it considers the broader landscape and its significance to past peoples. This perspective helps researchers interpret how communities adapted to and transformed their environments, offering a richer understanding of human history rooted in the unique characteristics of each place.