Earth is huge. Artifacts can be almost anywhere.
They can be hidden on the ocean floor, inside caves, deep underground, and even inside walls. So how do archaeologists know where to look? Sometimes they get lucky. A worker digging a new basement might stumble on a 2,000-year-old bowl. Usually, pure luck isn’t how archaeologists work. Instead, they have to use science and history to pinpoint promising sites.
Historical records, like battlefield maps, help make searching easier. Digging in modern cities or towns is often a good way to find artifacts. Many new cities sit on top of older ones. Looking near rivers and other water sources is another good bet. People always need water.
Archaeologists also look for strange terrain. They use modern tools like planes and radar. A rain forest may be flat. But weird mounds buried under trees may be worth exploring. They could hide ruins of human-made structures. Any hills or holes that don’t seem natural may hide buildings—or even entire cities!