Prehistoric tools can be useful in helping archaeologists figure out when a site was occupied by humans. Scientists can determine how old tools are by dating the sediments or layers that tools are found in and by comparing the tool's shape, design, and type of material to other tools whose age is known. Some of the first tools were large multi-purpose tools called choppers and handaxes. These were large rocks that prehistoric humans flaked to create sharp edges and were probably used for several purposes. As time went on, tools became more specialized and refined to meet different needs. As people began to hunt different types of game, spear and projectile points that were sharp on both sides replaced choppers. Tools became thinner, lighter and eventually had serrated edges. For example, Clovis points became widespread in North America around 13,000 years ago; they were likely used to butcher mammoths, bison, and other large animals. Later in time, smaller, lighter Folsom points became more common. Over time, projectile points became razor sharp, more triangular in shape, and began to have stems to improve hafting onto a spear or arrow shaft. Later humans made tools from a variety of types of stones, bones, and other organic material.

The discipline of archaeology has changed dramatically since the time when average people were searching for strange or exotic objects. Today's archaeologists carefully excavate sites by recording the context and stratigraphic relationship of the objects they recover. Archaeologists are careful to take detailed notes during the entire process. When people continue to live in the same location for a long period of time, they build on the remains of those who lived there before, thus creating layers of remains that can be studied to learn how people lived and how they interacted with other groups. Excavation, however, is only part of the process of archaeology. Today the archaeologist may use techniques of the chemical or physical sciences to study materials used in the past and to determine where they were made and if they were brought into a site from somewhere else. Another approach is that of experimental archaeology where archaeologists attempt to recreate the objects of the past to understand the process by which the objects were made. Examples of experimental archaeology might be making tools (e.g., flintknapping) or by attempting to recreate some special type of pottery.