Archaeology became rooted in the US in the late 19th century. It began as a discipline within anthropology, with roots in the study of Native American cultures. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, archaeological sites were excavated and documented throughout the US, leading to the development of professional archaeological practices. Major figures in American archaeology during this time included Clarence B. Moore, Alfred V. Kidder, and Sylvanus G. Morley.