Introduction to Archaeology
Anth 130
Napa Valley College
Spring 2015
Monday and Wednesday 11-12:15
Professor: Jessica Penman MA
A little About Me!
• From Napa-went to West Park Elementary, Redwood
Middle School and Napa High School
• Graduated with my BA in Anthropology and Classics from
University of Arizona
• Graduated with my MA in Egyptian Archaeology from
University College London
• Work as the collections and volunteer manager at the Napa
Valley Museum
• Participated in digs in Egypt, Italy, California and Palestine
• Has a puppy named Indiana Jones ( and cat
named Mico)
What is Archaeology?
What video games think I
do
What I think I do
What I actually do
Archaeologist: No I don’t dig up
dinosaurs
What people think Archaeologists look
like
What Archaeologist Actually Look Like
Impressive Monuments
Perfectly Preserved Bodies
Egyptian
Mummies, Egypt
Bog PeopleDenmark
Iceman,
Italy
Amazing Tombs
Tutankhamun, Egypt
Lord of Sipán, Peru
Cave of Glowing Skulls,
Honduras
Lost Cities
Copan, Honduras
Machu Picchu, Peru
Angkor Wat,
Cambodia
Reality
Pieces of mummy, El
Hibeh, Egypt
Intrusive Burial, Orvieto, Italy
Reality
Etruscan Road, Italy
Ancient Egyptian Mud brick
Houses
Reality
South Asasif, Egypt
What is Archaeology?
• A science that deals with past human life and
activities by studying bones, tools, ext., of
ancient people
• Remains of the culture of a people
• the study of human history and prehistory
through the excavation of sites and the
analysis of artifacts and other physical
remains.
Archaeology as Anthropology
In the US archaeology is considered a subfield of
Anthropology
• Other subfields of Anthropology include
– Linguistic Anthropology
– Cultural Anthropology
– Biological Anthropology
Long view of History
• Look at remains from as recent as 10 years
ago to as long as thousands of years ago.
• Allows archaeologists to see the “big picture”
when it comes to human history
• Tackle big questions: why do cultures evolve?
Why do they change in certain ways? Why are
some cultures similar and some so different?
Want to know EVREYONE’S past
• Only the rich and powerful left behind written
records for most of human history
• Everyone leaves behind garbage
• Archaeology is the study of peoples trash
Activity!
Topics that we will cover in class
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History of Archaeology
Archaeology Theory past and present
Human origins
Different types of societal structure
Excavation techniques/site analysis
Important archaeological sites and finds from
around the world
• The job of an archaeologist
Professor information
Jessica Penman
Email: jpenman@napavalley.edu
Phone: 707-256-7413
Office: McCarthy Library, Room 1735-E
Office Hour: Wednesday 10-11am
Classroom Rules
• No food or drink-bottled water with a lid is ok
• No cell phones!
• No computers-notes must be taken by hand-if you need help with
note taking the library has lots of services
• There will be no bullying or disrespect of other peoples opinion
• s
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated
Class Breakdown
Assignment
% of Grade
Your Grade
Multiplied by
Total
Archaeology
Magazine Weekly
Reports
10%
0.1
Test One
20%
0.2
Test Two
20%
0.2
Test Three
20%
0.2
Research Paper
20%
0.2
Class participation
10%
0.1
Total
100%
Add Final Column
Archaeology Magazine Weekly Writing
• “Like” Archaeology Magazine on Facebook
• Choose one of the stories from the week and write a
150-200 word write up
• Include: what was found, where, by who, why it is
important and any other important information
• MLA citation is required for the article
• 12pt times/times new roman font
• Due every Thursday before class
• Each week one or two students will present about their
article to the class
3 Tests
Test 1: February 18th
Tests 2: March 25th
Test 3: Finals Week
• Test will have multiple choice, matching, short answer, and
essay questions
• Tests are not cumulative
• There will be no make up tests
• If you need to take a test in the testing center please see
me
Research Paper
Due April 6, 2015
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Paper must be 5-7 pages
All citation must be done in MLA format
Research tops will be given out after the second test
Students can turn in a draft of their paper to be reviewed by
March 16th
• Must have 5 academic sources
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Attendance
• If you miss two classes you can be dropped by college
policy!
• If you have to miss class it is your responsibility to get the
lecture notes (make friends in class it is the easiest way!)
• There is no way to make up missed activities in lectures
• Tardiness will result in a loss of points and will not be
tolerated.
Required Material
• Book: Archaeology Essentials Second Edition-Colin Renfrew and
Paul Bahn
• Note book for notes (computers are not allowed in my class!)
• Handouts and assigned readings given during lecture
• Pencils
By the end of the class you will be able
to
• Understand field techniques in archaeology
• Apply theory and methods to investigate prehistoric and
historic cultures
• Analyze current cultural practices in light of archaeological
theories
• Analyze museum preparation and display of archaeological
materials
• Interpret political issues of artifact interpretation, provenance
and ownership
Tips for success!
• Make a friend!
• Do the readings! They will go over things we do not have time
to cover in class and will be on the tests!
• Come to class!
• Be engaged!
• Have fun!