ABSTRACT
Archaeology relies on scientific methods to produce valid interpretations of our pasts. Science deals with the things of this world. Science is empirical, testing ideas against reality. People tend to say that science deals with things that are observable and measurable. To illustrate scientific method in archaeology, the chapter describes a project from 'the good ol' days' of the twentieth century, one recent enough to include radiocarbon dating and contemporary emphasis on thorough analysis of all artifacts and organic remains. This project aimed to establish a chronology for artifacts in the northwestern plains of North America, and to explore techniques of bison hunting and processing. Practically all archaeologists will tell you they follow scientific method. Empirical observation, precise recording, measuring, classifying by observable criteria, drawing upon ethnographic and historical descriptions of human behavior and its material consequences to interpret what is represented in a site, make archaeology a science.
