01 Digging Up the Past

Digging up the past

挖掘过去

Hidden history Things from long ago sometimes get buried underground. Slowly, layers of soil build up over them and plants or buildings cover them. Ancient things, like these jewels, help experts to understand how people lived in the past.

隐藏的历史很久以前的东西有时会被埋在地下。 慢慢地，一层一层的土壤在它们上面堆积起来，植物或建筑物覆盖了它们。 像这些珠宝这样的古代物品，可以帮助专家了解过去人们的生活方式。

Signs and clues Archaeologists look for different clues that tell them where something might be buried. Lumps and bumps on the ground can mark where old buildings once stood. These grassy bumps show where an old fortress used to be.

迹象和线索考古学家寻找不同的线索来告诉他们什么东西可能被埋在哪里。 地面上的肿块和凸起可以标记出旧建筑曾经矗立的地方。 这些长满草的凸起表明这里曾经是一座古老的堡垒。

Old coins or pieces of tile can be washed up by rivers. This may mean more are buried nearby. Ancient pots are sometimes found in fields. Experts search the area to try to find more. Everyday objects such as tools can be found buried near ruins and old buildings. Sometimes machines such as metal detectors are used to help to find things underground.

旧硬币或旧瓦片会被河水冲上岸。 这可能意味着更多的人被埋在附近。 在田野里有时会发现古老的罐子。 专家们搜索该地区，试图找到更多。 在废墟和老建筑附近可以发现埋在地下的日常用品，如工具。 有时，像金属探测器这样的机器被用来帮助寻找地下的东西。

Dig in Archaeologists only begin to dig when they think they know where something is buried. 1. Often, they use shovels to remove the top layer of soil. 2. They use trowels to search through the soil very carefully. 3. If they find something fragile, they brush it clean. 4. Then they take it away to preserve and study it.

考古学家只有在他们认为知道东西埋在哪里时才开始挖掘。 1. 通常，他们会用铲子铲掉表层土壤。 2. 他们用泥铲仔细地在土壤中搜寻。 3. 如果他们发现易碎的东西，他们会把它刷干净。 4. 然后他们把它带走保存和研究。

This archaeologist has dug up the bones of someone who died long ago. She is cleaning them with a soft brush.

这位考古学家挖出了很久以前死去的人的骨头。 她正在用软毛刷清洁它们。