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Archaeology, a branch of anthropology, investigates humanity's history by studying physical artifacts. This discipline explores everything from ancient African fossils millions of years old to historic structures in Oregon's urban and rural landscapes, seeking to understand diverse human cultures through material evidence. The University of Oregon's archaeology program involves faculty and students conducting research across North America, the Pacific Rim, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Their studies encompass various subjects such as early American settlements, migration patterns, island and coastal archaeology, fishing communities, agricultural development, and the rise of social hierarchies. Researchers analyze how economic, environmental, cultural, and evolutionary forces shaped subsistence methods, social organization, ethnic identities, and gender roles throughout history, as well as humanity's interaction with natural and social surroundings. The program also addresses archaeological site preservation, cultural heritage management, and partnerships with indigenous and marginalized communities, supporting native scholars and fostering collaborative ties with tribal groups and local stakeholders.