There are plenty of things to find as an archaeologist. All over the world settlements are being discovered. Some sites are abandoned over time, while other can be lost due to catastrophic events like volcanic eruptions (like in Pompeii, Italy). People of the past have left clues to their actions through artifacts, features, and structures.

ORGANIC material (from living or once living organisms) such as skin, bone, textiles, wood, paper, shells, food, and plant remains have a tendency to deteriorate and leave few traces of their existence over the years. They often decompose. On the other hand, INORGANIC materials (non-living) such as stone, metal and ceramic (pottery) can survive and remain to find them.

Organic material can survive due to unusual preservation. This can be due to catastrophic events (like a volcano), the chemical make-up of the matrix (like anaerobic pockets that saved the letters at Ft. Vindolanda in Britain or extreme climatic conditions.