Description
An engaging, accessible account of humanity’s heritage beyond Earth
Space exploration has produced a rich material record that forms part of our cultural heritage. From abandoned launch sites and decommissioned satellites to lunar landing sites and the International Space Station, these traces reveal the story of humanity’s ventures beyond Earth.
An Introduction to Space Archaeology is the first textbook to offer a comprehensive, student-friendly introduction to this emerging discipline. By applying archaeological methods to a wide range of historic space activities, author Lisa Westwood situates space exploration within the broader framework of human history to help students understand the cultural dimensions of humankind's off-world legacy.
Written with an engaging style and clear pedagogical structure, the book is designed to support students from diverse academic backgrounds, including archaeology, history, anthropology, planetary science, and aerospace studies. Each chapter combines historical context with archaeological analysis, complemented by case studies, summaries, key terms, and study questions to reinforce learning and spark critical thinking. Throughout the book, Westwood addresses pressing issues such as orbital debris, site preservation, and ethical stewardship to highlight the urgency of preserving humanity’s legacy off Earth for future generations.
Encouraging students to actively engage with one of the newest and most exciting frontiers in archaeology, An Introduction to Space Archaeology:
- Presents space exploration as both a technological achievement and a cultural milestone.
- Integrates archaeology method and theory with space history, planetary science, and aerospace studies in an interdisciplinary framework
- Bridges traditional archaeological methods with modern concerns about technology, heritage, and international policy
- Supports both introductory and advanced discussions of archaeology, history, and cultural resource management
- Provides extensive instructor resources, including customizable lecture slides and quiz banks
An Introduction to Space Archaeology is the perfect textbook for upper-level high school and undergraduate courses in archaeology, history, anthropology, planetary science, and aerospace studies. It is well-suited for courses such as Cultural Resources Management, Archaeology of the 20th Century, Earth and Planetary Science, and Space Law.
'A giant leap in the field of space archaeology and heritage! Westwood has done an excellent job introducting Aerospace heritage to students and broadening the accessibility of its scholars. It reflects her expertise in the historic context of the human movement into space and deep commitment to its preservation'
– Beth Laura O'Leary, Professor Emerita of Anthropology, New Mexico State University
'A masterful contribution that bridges archaeology and planetary science, offering a clear conceptual and methodological framework for identifying, interpreting, and studying archaeological signatures distributed across the Solar System. This book not only introduces a new generation of students to space archaeology but also challenges scholars across disciplines to reconsider how and, most importantly, why we study humanity's material footprint.'
– Justin Holcomb, Assistant Research Professor, Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Assistant Director, Odyssey Archaeological Research Program
'The archaeology of human activity in space is an exciting new field, and Lisa Westwood has been there from the beginning. There is nobody better to introduce the key concepts of space archaeology, grounded in traditional archaeological and historic preservation practices. This book will grab students' attention and show them how it's possible to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and ask new questions.'
– Justin Walsh, Professor of Art History, Archaeology, and Space Studies, Chapman University
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables viii
List of Acronyms x
Acknowledgments xii
About This Book xiii
Preface xv
About the Companion Website xvi
1 Principles of Archaeology 1
The Inspiration for Space Archaeology 2
Archaeology and the Study of Culture 5
Method and Theory of Archaeological Research 11
Archaeological Sites: The Subject of Inquiry 12
Methods of Documentation 14
Evaluating Significance 25
Chapter Summary 29
Study Questions 30
Key Terms 31
References 33
2 History of Human Spaceflight 35
The Chronology of Human Space Flight 39
Propulsion Exploratory Period, up to c. 1900 40
Early Rocket Testing Period, c. 1900–1945 42
Cold War Space Race Period, c. 1945–1969 45
Intensive Human Spaceflight Period, c. 1969–2011 48
Commercial and International Exploration Period, c. 2011–Present 50
The Next Period: To Be Determined 54
Chapter Summary 54
Study Questions 56
Key Terms 56
References 57
3 Space Archaeology on Earth 60
Ancient Astronomers 61
Space Archaeology on Earth 64
Primary Sites 64
Secondary Sites 69
Auxiliary Sites 78
Cultural Landscape of Space 85
Chapter Summary 87
Study Questions 88
Key Terms 89
References 89
4 Space Archaeology in Orbit 92
Post-Depositional Processes 92
Orbital Debris 96
Humanity’s Entrance into Earth’s Orbit 98
Living in Space 100
Skylab 100
International Space Station 101
Orbiting Telescopes 104
Hubble Telescope 105
Webb Telescope 105
Mars Odyssey 106
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 106
Voyager 107
Orbiting … Cars? 107
Threats from Orbital Debris 108
Earth’s Oceans: A Model? 109
Importance of Orbital Trajectory 111
Chapter Summary 112
Study Questions 113
Key Terms 114
References 115
5 Space Archaeology on Other Celestial Bodies 117
Preservation Matters 118
Remote Sensing 123
The First “Landings” 125
The First Human Footprints 127
Human Cremains 135
Chapter Summary 136
Study Questions 137
Key Terms 138
References 138
6 Conservation and Management 141
Archaeological Sites: Nonrenewable Resources 141
Threats to Space Archaeology 143
Intentional Harm 143
Political Power Plays 146
Resource and Mineral Extracting 146
Space Exploration 148
Symbolic Protections 151
International Efforts 154
Preservation Forward 154
The Future of Space Archaeology 155
Chapter Summary 156
Study Questions 158
Key Terms 158
References 159
7 Why Does All of This Matter? 161
Chapter Summary 165
Study Questions 165
Key Terms 166
References 166
Index 167
