Fall 2008
Prehistoric Archaeology
ANTH-0050-01/ARCH-0030-01
Instructor: Dr. Lauren A. Sullivan
Office: 126 Curtis St.
Course Meetings: MW 6:00 to 7:15 pm; PRSN 106
Office Hours: Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and by appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you
have any questions or problems.
Email: Lauren.Sullivan@tufts.edu or Lauren.Sullivan@umb.edu
Course Description:
Prehistoric Archaeology provides an introduction to archaeological theory, methods, and goals. The course examines
contemporary methods used by archaeologists, and a history of archaeological investigation, and provides a summary of
worldwide prehistoric human cultural developments. The focus is on the major turning points in the history of humanity
including the origins of culture, domestication of plants and animals, and the evolution of cities and ancient civilizations.
Required Texts:
1) Feder, Kenneth L.
2007 The Past in Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory (4rd Edition). McGraw Hill, New York.
2) The other required readings for this course include articles on the course Blackboard page which can be accessed at
http://blackboard.tufts.edu. The readings can be found in the folder titled “Course Readings” under “Course
Documents”. Additional articles may be added during the semester and will be announced in class.
Course Requirements:
Test 1 - 20% - Monday 10/6
Test 2 - 30% - Wednesday 11/5
Test 3 – 30% - TBA
Paper - 20% - due Monday 11/24
*Students are expected to attend the lectures, slides shows, and films that form the core of this class.
Tests - Tests will cover material from the lectures, class discussions, and reading assignments. Tests are not cumulative
although the introductory lectures do provide a basis for understanding materials presented throughout the semester.
Paper - The paper is a “field project” involving historic human populations. Each student will develop an hypothesis and
test their research question by collecting data from a local cemetery. These papers should be approximately 6-7 typed
(double spaced) pages and follow a recognized style for citation and reference format (e.g., MLA, Chicago Manual of
Style, or American Antiquity.) This assignment will be discussed further and written instructions will be distributed in
class.
Makeup Policies:
Make-up tests are only permitted in the case of documented illness or family emergency. This request must be made to
the professor, in advance of the scheduled time for the test; students may be asked to provide written documentation.
Any assigned papers must be turned in as hard copies and NOT sent as an attached document over e-mail.
Respect:
Class discussion and group projects can be productive only in a climate of respect for the opinions and beliefs of all. A
healthy exchange about issues may include disagreement about ideas but it must not demean the character or background
of the individuals holding those ideas. Similarly, you must respect the classroom space and the instructor by focusing
your attention on the course during our class meetings. You must turn off all cell phones before entering the classroom,
and you are not permitted to take calls or text message while in the classroom. You will be asked to leave the room if
you violate these policies repeatedly. Detailed information on Tufts Academic Integrity policy can be found at
http://studentservices.tufts.edu/dos/pdf/AcadInteg06-07.pdf.
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Fall 2008
Tentative Course Schedule:
Week
Week 1
Date
Topic
Introduction to course; defining anthropology and
archaeology.
History of archaeological thought and the location of
archaeological sites.
Reading Assignment
The Past in Perspective pp. 2-29; 631-637
Week 2
9/8-9/12
Week 3
9/15-9/19
Field methods and analysis
The Past in Perspective pp. 30-44
BB: Yes, Wonderful Things from Rubbish!
The Archaeology of Garbage.
Week 4
9/22-9/26
Archaeological analysis cont’d and dating methods
Week 5
9/29-10/3
Our primate heritage and our earliest ancestors
Test 1 – Monday 10/6
The Past in Perspective 44-69
BB: Chapter 1: The Science of Archaeology
The Past in Perspective pp. 70-115
BB: Great Mysteries of Human Evolution
Week 6
10/6-10/10
Increasing cultural capacities and the spread of the
genus Homo
Week 7
10/13-10/17
Week 8
10/20-10/24
Archaic Homo sapiens and the Neandertals; the
appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens
Columbus Day – Monday 10/13 – no classes
The cultural explosion of the Upper Paleolithic
The Past in Perspective pp. 116-159
BB: Human Origins: Digital Ancestors
Walk Again
The Past in Perspective pp. 160-217
BB: Neanderthals and the modern human
colonization of Europe
The Past in Perspective pp. 218-255
BB: Brown et. al. - Homo floresiensis
BB: Lahr and Foley - Human evolution writ
small
Week 9
10/27-10/31
Geographic expansion and the peopling of the New
World
The Past in Perspective pp. 256-327
BB: Who Were the First Americans?
Week 10
11/3-11/7
Early hunter gatherers and the origins of agriculture
Test 2 – Wednesday 11/5
Week 11
11/10-11/14
The development and rise of complexity
The Past in Perspective pp. 327-407
BB: The Eloquent Bones of Abu Hureyra
BB: Hayden – Nimrods, Piscators, Pluckers,
and Planters
The Past in Perspective pp. 408-460; 493501
BB: This Old House
Week 12
11/17-11/21
Cites and states in the Old World
Week 13
11/24-11/28
Week 14
12/1-12/5
Cities and states in the New World
11/26 to 11/28 – Thanksgiving Holiday – no classes
Paper Due – Monday 11/24
Cities and states in the New World cont.
Week 15
12/8-12/12
9/3
Understanding the Collapse of Civilizations
Monday 12/8 – Last Day of Classes
The Past in Perspective pp. 2-29
BB: The Archaeology of Contemporary
Mass Graves
The Past in Perspective pp. 461-492; 502527
BB: Lost City
The Past in Perspective pp. 528-559
The Past in Perspective pp. 560-581; 590630
BB: Rapidly Abandoned Structures at
Aguateca, Guatemala
The Past in Perspective pp. 581-589
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