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Archaeologists often excavate middens, which were basically trash heaps. The artifacts found in middens are important because they can tell us what people ate, what kinds of tools they made and sometimes how many people lived nearby.

Directions: Match up the artifacts in the midden with excavated artifacts. Think about each artifact.

Should you keep artifacts? NO!

Artifacts can be found in many places in San Diego, in canyons, mountains and even in the city. If you keep an artifact you find, an important piece of San Diego's history will be lost forever. Archaeologists need to know exactly where an artifact was found to understand everything about it. They can't use an artifact that came out of your pocket.

If you find an artifact, look at it, enjoy it and then put it back exactly where you found it. You can take a picture of it, too, and then you'll have it to look at later. If you find painting or etchings on rocks, never touch them or add paint to them. Never disturb Indian places or historic spots. Tell a park ranger or another official about the artifact you found, they may want to protect it further.