Learn About Archaeology
Explore the kinds of places archaeologists study and learn how to check what a map record can actually tell you.
Welcome to Old World Index
Explore the project's current archaeological site records by time period, civilization, or type. Coverage is selective, and classifications and summaries may change as source review proceeds.
How to read an archaeology map point
A pin helps you find a record; it may not mark an entrance, the edge of a site, or even its exact excavated location. For example, Pleiades explains that a representative point can be a centroid of several published locations. Compare the record's cited map or heritage authority before using coordinates for fieldwork.
Separate a place from the status of a larger heritage property. UNESCO World Heritage status means a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List; check the official property page before applying that status to a particular building, trench, or nearby place. Neither a map pin nor an inscription tells you whether visitors can enter today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time periods are covered?
The catalog uses broad time-period labels to help organize discovery. Detailed period guides are in editorial review; dates and period names vary by region. Check each record's cited sources before relying on its chronology.
How are sites added to Old World Index?
Site candidates may come from heritage records, publications, structured datasets, and community suggestions. Source collection, editorial review, and publication approval are separate steps; a visible legacy record should not be read as proof that every current gate was completed. You can suggest sites through our Contact page.
Can I visit these archaeological sites?
Access varies by site and can change. A catalog record does not confirm that a place is open to visitors. Check current guidance from the responsible heritage authority or site operator before planning a visit, follow closures and permit rules, and never enter restricted areas or remove artifacts.
How do I suggest a missing site?
Visit our Contact page to suggest archaeological sites. Include the site name, location, time period, and any references.