ATH 102 Archaeology

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Covers basic archaeological method and theory and reviews the techniques used for investigating the past. Focuses on the interpretation and assessment of archeological data. Includes the development of technology and food production, the origins of complex societies and the resulting social inequalities, and the evolution of cultural systems. Includes some of the major contributions of archaeology and discusses the relevance of archaeology to everyday life. Selection of specific societies and sites for study may vary according to each instructorís expertise.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the development of archaeology as a scientific discipline.
Explain how archeologists identify sites and conduct excavations.
Interpret archaeological sites in terms of subsistence, settlement, social inequality, and political organization.
Identify processes of change as revealed in material culture.
Describe the techniques, goals, and challenges of modern archaeology.
Discuss the concept of “Who Owns the Past.”
Identify how Archaeology can help solve many contemporary problems.

Statewide General Education Outcomes

Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior.
Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.
Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Content Outline

Introduction to Archaeology
- Nature of the field of anthropology
- Goals of archaeology
- Branches of archaeological investigations
- The profession of archaeology
Development of Archaeology
- The antiquarians
- The discovery of classical civilizations
- Prehistorical framework and outline of major transitions
- Archaeology and political influences
Archaeological Fieldwork
- Site formation processes
- Techniques in site locations
- Approaches to excavation
- Ethics in archaeological fieldwork
Interpretation of Excavations
- Establishing artifact typographies
- Identifying ancient technologies
- Artifact and ecofact analysis
- Bioarchaeology
Chronological Assessment
- Absolute dating techniques
- Relative dating techniques
Archaeology of Foragers
- Estimating seasonality
- Technologies and activity areas
- Diet and subsistence
- Gender bias in forager reconstructions
Archaeology of Social Systems
- Evidence of exchange systems
- Settlement archaeology and population reconstruction
- Origins of social inequality
- Evidence of social identities
Archaeology of Cultural Systems
- Cognitive archaeology and symbol analysis
- Interpreting evidence of political organization
- Evidence of belief systems
- Empathic approaches to the archaeology of the mind
Archaeology and Change
- Invention and diffusion
- Migrations and diasporas
- Evidence of conflict and warfare
Current Archaeological Challenges
- Identification and conservation of archaeological sites
- Cultural resource management
- Applying archaeology to contemporary problems