ANTHRO 010
CUNN 119
Introduction to Archaeology
MWF 10-11
Dr. Annlee Dolan
Fall 2008
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
This course is designed as an introduction to the principles of archaeology. We
will study the methods and techniques that archaeologists use to uncover, investigate,
reconstruct, interpret and preserve the past. Not only will you acquire basic
archaeological skills, but you will also understand the ethics and values involved with
‘digging up the past,’ as well as gaining an awareness of ‘political interest’ in
archaeological inquiry. We will explore past cultures and societies through their material
remains and attempt to reconstruct past lifeways. This course is a survey of the
development of archaeology as an anthropological study, with particular emphasis on the
contributions of archaeology toward supplementing man's understanding of the
development of human culture. The objectives, methods, and techniques of modern
archaeology are combined with a survey of major archaeological sites and cultures.
Required Text:
Ashmore, W. and R. Sharer
2006 Discovering Our Past:A Brief Introduction to Archaeology. McGraw-Hill.
Course Goals:
1. Gain knowledge of the proper scientific methods of archaeological retrievals and
analysis.
2. Appreciate our cultural heritage and discourage the wanton destruction of "pot
hunting" and similar practices.
3. Compare and contrast the processes involved in the development of human civilization
in the many areas throughout the world.
4. Analyze human prehistory using archaeological techniques.
5. Synthesize world-wide data in order to understand how the human species has adapted
and survived from the earliest efforts at tool making to the rise of complex civilizations.
Course Objectives:
1. Analyze different culture areas throughout the world and compare these to human
needs in specific environmental areas.
2. Evaluate the different scientific techniques applied by archaeologists to explain the
development of the human experience during early times.
3. Compare and contrast the processes involved in the development of human civilization
in the major areas of the world.
Outline of Topics:
1. Introduction and History of Archaeology
2. The Data of Archaeology
3. Archaeology in the Field
4. Analyzing the Data
5. Prehistoric Archaeology
6. The Archaeology of Civilization
Examinations and Assignments:
In Class Assignments
Take Home Assignments
Term Test #1
Term Test #2
Final
10%
10%
25%
25%
30%
ALL exams and assignments are mandatory. Students must be on time for examsNo excuses! There will be no make-up exams so please make arrangements to be
here on time! All students must write the final exam.
Course Requirements:
Class attendance is mandatory for participation in “In Class Assignments and
Exercises.” In addition to attending class, you will need to participate in several
laboratory demonstrations. You will be tested on material both from class and your
reading assignments.
Obligation of the Student:
1. It is your responsibility as a student to come to class prepared. If you have any
questions or concerns about the course material, please come and see me during
my office hours.
2. It is important to respect others who are attending class with you. Therefore it is
unacceptable to arrive to class late, talk or disturb the class during the lecture.
Cell phones must be turned off!
3. PLAGIARISM is a serious academic offense, which may result in a course
grade of 0. Please ensure that you summarize all information from your sources
in your own words and make sure that you do not imitate the sentence structure of
your source. Cheating may also result in a course grade of 0.
Course Schedule:
Aug 15
Introduction to Course and Syllabus
Sept
18
20
22
Introduction to Archaeology
Archaeology as Anthropology and Scientific Archaeology
The Nature of Archaeology. In class assignment: American life
25
27
29
The Origins of Archaeology and its Modern Emergence
Theoretical Approaches to Archaeology
Introduction to Forensic Archaeology
1
3
5
Holiday- No Class
Ethnoarchaeology
Archaeological Basics and Data
Sept
8
10
12
Features, Installations, Sites, Regions
Site Formation Processes: Deposition and Transformation
No class! Take Home Assignment
Sept
15
17
19
Archaeological Sites: Locating and Surveying
Archaeological Research Design and Data Sampling, Remote Sensing
Techniques
Surveying Exercise
Sept
22
24
26
TEST #1
Archaeological Excavation
In Class Exercise
Sept
Oct
29
1
3
The Art of Stratigraphic Control and the Order of Superposition
Recovering Archaeological Data
In Class Exercise
6
8
10
NO CLASS-STUDY BREAK
Processing excavated materials: Artifacts: Lithic, Ceramic, Metal
Ecofacts: Bones, organics and vegetal remains
13
15
17
Classification of Artifacts
Analyzing Artifacts
Field trip to the Microscopy lab! Analyzing ceramics
20
22
24
Relative Dating Techniques
Types, Seriation and Index Fossils
Chronologies and Sequencing; In Class Exercise: Relative Dating
27
29
31
Absolute Dating Techniques
Radiocarbon Dating and other Radiometric Techniques
Dendrochronology, Archaeomagnetism and Experimental Methods
In Class Exercise: terminus post and anti quem
3
5
7
Reconstructing the Past
The Use of Analogy and Interpretation
In Class Exercise: Classification and Analysis
10
12
14
Holiday- No Class
TEST #2
Understanding Culture Change
17
19
21
Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence
Experimental Archaeology
NO CLASS- TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT- Cemetery Visit
Nov
Dec
24
26
28
Ethics in Archaeology; Cultural Resource Management
In class Heritage Management exercise: The effects of Development
Holiday- No Class
1
3
5
Destruction, Looting and Antiquity dealers Take Home Assignment Due!
The Responsibilities of Archaeologists and Making your work public
In class exercises: Museums
8
10
12
Politics and Archaeology: Who owns the Past?
Nationalism, War and Land Claim Issues: Kennewick Man
Review and Question Period