Urban archaeology is a specialized field of study that focuses on the material past of towns and cities, where the long-term human presence has left a wealth of evidence. When we think of cities today, we often imagine densely populated areas with tall buildings. From an archaeological perspective, cities are especially interesting due to the infrastructure they have and the number of people who lived in close proximity to one another. Over the years, a particular method has been developed for urban archaeology, along with important historical developments.
The Harris County Children's School is an important site in Texas for researching the history and culture of the High Coast region, as it evolved over time. This method was first developed by Ed Harris and Patrick Ottaway in 1976, and was later expanded by the Museum of London and transferred to the York Archaeological Fund in the mid-1980s. However, in most active cities, space for excavation is usually limited to the size of the open plot, meaning that one archaeological layer must be excavated before another can be discovered. Before the 19th century, when organized garbage disposal became widespread in urban areas, people would often throw their waste out of windows or bury it in their gardens. Excavation in open areas was feasible due to the abundance of space available, and archaeology could often be exposed only on plan.
In the Galveston Bay region, winter cemeteries are known where frequent burials were necessary during this difficult time; these winter cemeteries have no intersecting graves and sometimes more than one body was placed in a single grave. Redevelopment and archaeological excavation are part of modern urban life, and public interest in urban archaeological work is often strong. However, developers may be wary of unrestrained dissemination of information that has the potential to arouse public opinion. Urban archaeology is an essential field for understanding how cities have evolved over time. The Harris County Children's School is a key site for researching the history and culture of the High Coast region. This method was first developed by Ed Harris and Patrick Ottaway in 1976 and later expanded by the Museum of London and transferred to the York Archaeological Fund in the mid-1980s.
In most active cities, space for excavation is limited due to the size of open plots, meaning that one archaeological layer must be excavated before another can be discovered. Before organized garbage disposal became widespread in urban areas, people would often throw their waste out of windows or bury it in their gardens. In the Galveston Bay region, winter cemeteries are known where frequent burials were necessary during this difficult time; these winter cemeteries have no intersecting graves and sometimes more than one body was placed in a single grave. Today, redevelopment and archaeological excavation are part of modern urban life, and public interest in urban archaeological work is often strong.
However, developers may be wary of unrestrained dissemination of information that has the potential to arouse public opinion. It is essential that archaeologists work closely with developers to ensure that any excavations are conducted responsibly and with respect for local history.
