Anthropology 101 Exam 2
Kinds of Archaeology
-prehistoric -historical -industrial -nautical or underwater -classical -experimental -CRM
What prompts our ethical concerns as archaeologists?
1. Archaeological resources are finite 2. The many "publics" of archaeology
Remote Sensing
A method of collecting data or information through the use of instruments that are physically distant from the area or object of study.
Conservation Ethic
An ethic holding that humans should put natural resources to use but also have a responsibility to manage them wisely.
Phase 2 of Archaeology Research
Excavation
Phases 4 of Archaeology Research
Interpretation
Phases 3 of Archaeology Research
Laboratory Analysis
Relative Dating
Method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock
Absolute Dating
Produce dates in years so differences in age can be quantified
Dating Techniques
Relative, Absolute, Molecular
Kennewick Man
Remains of a male found near Kennewick, Washington, dated to between 7580 and 7330 b.c.e.
How do archaeologists "do" archaeology?
Remote sensing, systematic survey, and excavation
What constitutes acceptable behavior for an archaeologist (in the field or elsewhere)?
Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Principles of Archaeological Ethics
Anchaeology
Study of human behavior and cultural change in the past through the reconstruction, description, and interpretation of material remains
Phases 1 of Archaeology Research
Systematic Survey
Excavation Methods
Test pits, Horizontal excavations, Vertical (stratigraphic) excavations
Law of Superposition
The geologic principle that states that in horizontal layers of sedimentary rock, each layer is older than the layer above it and younger than the layer below it.
What do archaeologists do?
They go out into the field and dig historical sites and recover artifacts
Molecular Dating
Uses genetic materials to create an evolutionary tree and estimates when each branching took place
Relative dating
Uses natural layers or strata to establish relative chronology
Ethical Concerns and Issues
What constitutes acceptable ethical behavior for an archeologist? What professional and legal standard exist that inform our ethical standards?
Writing Process
Writing, Writing and more writing ~additional research ~analysis ~interpretation
Who are the publics/ stakeholders of archaeology?
all people have a part to play in the levels of who are affected by archaeology.
Flotation
an archaeological technique employed to recover very tiny objects by immersion of soil samples in water to separate heavy from light particles
Material culture Examples?
artifacts, ecofacts, and features
Field Methodology
how archaeologists 'do' archaeology
Field Methodology
how archaeologists 'do' archaeology. using remote sensing, systematic survey, and excavation
What standards exist that allow us to decide what are appropriate and inappropriate activities?
professional and legal
Systematic Survey (1)
provides a regional perspective by gathering information on settlement patterns over a large area
Key Fieldwork Strategies (1-2)
systematic survey and excavation
Excavation (2)
the action of excavating something, especially an archaeological site.
Material Culture
the physical things created by members of a society
Historic Preservation
the practice of identifying, preserving, and restoring historic homes, buildings, or other sites
Stratigraphy
the study of rock layers and the sequence of events they reflect
Processing Artifacts
wash, identify, catalogue, curation
Why do archaeology?
~ Historic preservation ~understand peoples, places, and events both prehistoric and historic ~learn about the past ~ to fill in the gap of history
Laboratory Analysis (3)
~Dating Teachniques ~Processing Artifacts