How exactly is archaeology done? What are the tools used?
--Akshay, 8, Solihull, United Kingdom

Dr. dig responds:
The tools used in an excavation vary, depending upon the type and location of the dig-site. But most of the tools are simple garden implements. In Egypt, where most sites are covered in dry sand, archaeologists first use large teams of workers to dig away the sand, then sweep the site clean with a stiff brush. In damper climates, a mechanical digger may be used to clear the topsoil before small teams of specialists use spades and trowels to clean the exposed site. On one very fragile site, I even excavated small chips of flint using a dental tongue depressor! As a general rule, small tools are used to uncover small artifacts, large-scale tools for large artifacts.