An archaeologist excavates sites in the ground to uncover physical remains of humans, animals, or artifacts in order to form a richer and more complete understanding of the past. Who was King Tut? details the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The artifacts in the tomb, as well as the mummified body of King Tut himself, provided rich insights into ancient Egyptian life, culture, and religious beliefs about death and the afterlife.

A dig is a casual term for an archaeological excavation of a specific area. Due to ongoing urbanization or to the natural movement of earth or sand, historical artifacts are almost always at least partially buried. Archaeologists organize digs to carefully uncover artifacts or human or animal remains. These artifacts or remains can then be studied to learn more about the past.

A historian is an academic professional who analyzes written and archaeological records in order to study the details and relevant events of the past. To create streamlined historical accounts, historians rely on primary sources, which can include written or archaeological records of the past. Historians also include secondary sources—the speculations and findings of other historians—to inform their work.