By Claire Gibson, 2023 Science Communication Intern

Beneath our feet are stories of thousands, millions, and even billions of years of Earth’s history. Compared to this vast history, humans have been a part of it for only a sliver of time. Yet, our stories still exist as part of Earth. What happens when we combine geology and archaeology to understand the ground beneath us? Many professionals in the geoscience field are doing just that, and it’s called geoarchaeology. Humans can have a big impact on the geology and environment around them, even people who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago. We can learn a whole lot about how humans existed by looking at and understanding the geological processes that were taking place when they were alive. Geoarchaeology also extends beyond the hard science we encounter when we dig in the ground; it can also inform us of human resilience in times of change and can allow us to make connections with the land in ways that just geology alone would overlook. Geoarchaeology not only informs us about the past but also teaches us how to work in the present and future when faced with big challenges like climate change. So, what is geoarchaeology? 

Figure 1. KTI-WSU-UA field school crew members. Photos courtesy of Molly Carney. 

I spoke with Timothy Beach, a professor of geology at the University of Texas at Austin, Molly Carney, an assistant professor of anthropology at Oregon State University, and others about the science and the humans behind the field of geoarchaeology.

Listen below to find out about how geoarchaeology impacts the past, present, and future.

Figure 2. Media day at a geoarchaeological site in the Pend d’Oreille Valley. Tribal members, including elders, came out to visit the site and share their thoughts. Photos courtesy of Molly Carney.

The GSA Science Communication Internship was a program offered at GSA Connects in Pittsburgh, Penn., designed for student attendees interested in science communication as a possible alternative career path. Interns were paired with GSA’s Science Communication Fellow in order to gain experience in making science clear and exciting, under the tutelage of a professional writer. Students were assigned to conduct interviews with presenters at the meeting and to compile summaries capturing the significance of the presenters’ work for a non-technical audience. Media assignments and mentoring were useful learning experiences and exposure opportunities for students seeking to expand their knowledge into geoscientific reporting.