Archaeologists study the past by studying artifacts left behind by humans. One branch of archaeology is industrial archaeology, the study of the remains of business and technology. Industrial archaeology often goes hand in hand with historical archaeology -- the study of printed materials and records to compare with archaeological remains.

Water wheels powered early industry. With the development of steam engines in the 1700s, industrialization began in earnest for manufacturing and transport.

When we scan Virginia, two prime examples of early industry include our waterways -- as a source of power for mills, and as a means of transport for goods.

The James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond was a grand vision of George Washington and others. With a keen understanding of the value of commerce with the west, its founders planned to link Richmond via the James River with the Ohio River valley via the Kanawha River through the present Charleston, W.Va.

On the Appomattox in Farmville, a dam and millrace, together with a short bypass canal, hint at the same transport and manufacturing technology.

Industrial archaeology reminds us that our technology not only wears out, but also becomes obsolete.

In the case of canal systems and river travel, railroads made waterborne technology obsolete, often using, as it does in Richmond, the tow paths of old canals as a smooth rail bed for steel track.

With the advent of widely distributed electricity, mills no longer had to be located where a waterfall could power the grinding wheels. Changing technology made the water-powered gristmill obsolete. Mills powered by electric motors could be located at points of easier access to grain and to markets.

Virginia's science Standards of Learning recognize the importance of studying machines, especially in the physical sciences (standards 3.2, PS.10). The advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources (a significant factor in obsolescence) are covered in ES.8, PH.1, PH.5, and PH.8.