FOOTHILL COLLEGE
BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE DIVISION
ARCHAEOLOGY LABORATORY
ANTH 8L, Section 01
Thursday 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Instructor: Daniel Cearley
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 or by appointment
E-mail: danielcearley@myrealbox.com
Mailbox: BSS Office and Administration Building
WINTER 2003
Room: 3201
Office: Building 5023
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory course in field and laboratory methods in archaeology. The class
is oriented toward developing students basic skills most commonly employed in
archaeological investigations. It will focus on site survey, excavation techniques,
documentation, recovery of cultural material, care and cataloging of artifacts and basic
theoretical models for interpretation and analysis. The course is structured to encompass
the broad variation in archaeology providing students with an opportunity to understand
both historical and pre-historic archaeology contexts.
COURSE GOALS
At the completion of the course, students should be able to:
a. understand the general phases involved in archaeological investigations.
b. develop proficiency in the most common excavation approaches and techniques.
c. demonstrate awareness of local and Bay Area archaeological contexts.
d. conduct site survey and basic mapping
e. excavate a 1x 1 meter test unit.
f. catalog, record, and analyze basic categories of artifacts.
g. prepare written reports of findings
h. evaluate material evidence in relation to established theories and ethno-history.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
Instructor created lab/field course reader
Spiral notepad
“Marshalltown” masonry trowel #45-5 (Available at OSH)
All other related excavation and lab equipment will be supplied by instructor.
CLASS ORGANIZATION
The class will be divided into a 20 minute Lecture and an hour of hands on work. Ten
minutes will involve clean up and wrap-up discussion.
GRADING POLICIES AND EVALUATION
This course is designed to be participatory, thus attendance and active involvement is
critical to a students success. Since this is a laboratory course make-up will be difficult –
contact the instructor for attendance conflicts and scheduling other arrangements.
EXERCISES
This course is primarily hands on in focus, thus each week there will be a series of 6 “inclass” exercises and 3 fieldwork exercises. In total, 9 exercises. These will vary
depending upon the content and generally will be carried out in small groups, each person
designated to a specific task contributing to the completion as a whole.
DISABILITY INFORMATION
If there are any student who needs accommodations based upon the impact of a disability,
please contact me to discuss your specific needs and/or the Disabled Student Services
Office in Room 2127 at (650) 949-7332.