Mention the word archaeology, and people often conjure up images of digging under a blazing desert sun and unearthing an ancient treasure trove. Talk about biblical archaeology, and topics like the Ark of the Covenant or chariot wheels at the bottom of the Red Sea frequently make their way into the conversation. But aside from potential riches and sensational finds, the real purpose of archaeology is to gain an understanding of past cultures by studying what they left behind: their pottery, tools, buildings, graves, bones, etc.
