Intro to Archaeology Exam (correct answers)
The role of archaeology in anthropology correct answers anthropology is made up of
four sub disciplines, including archaeology
-begin with questions that help anthropologists learn about society
Archaeology vs. history correct answers -both focus on past human events
-archaeology deals with remains
-history only considers the rich and powerful, narrow approach
-archaeology has more of a
How archaeology is both a science and a humanity correct answers • Studies humans
and cultures,
• Like science, uses scientific method, but unlike science, many "fuzzy" answers,
Research design correct answers a systematic plan to coordinate archaeological
research to ensure the efficient use of resources and to guide the research according to
the scientific method
-steps can be done in any order
-time, labor, and money are major limitations to research design
Formulation correct answers the first stage in archaeological research design; involves
definition of the research problem and goals, background investigations, and feasibility
studies
Implementation correct answers the second stage in archaeological research design,
which involves obtaining permits, raising funds, and making logistical arrangements
Data gathering correct answers a stage in archaeological research design in which data
are gathered, normally by surface survey and excavation
Data processing correct answers a stage in archaeological research design usually
involving, in the case of artifacts, cleaning, conserving, labeling, inventorying, and
cataloging
Analysis correct answers a stage in archaeological research design in which data are
isolated, described, and structured, usually via typological classification, and
chronological, functional, technological, and constituent determinations are made
Interpretation correct answers a stage in archaeological research design involving the
synthesis of results of data analysis and the explanation of their meaning in order to
reconstruct the past
Publication correct answers the final stage of archaeological research design, providing
reports of the data and interpretations resulting from archaeological research
Consequences/impacts of archaeological research correct answers -understanding and
reconstructing the full extent of the past
-loss of artifacts
-racism
Archaeological features correct answers nonportable archaeological remains that
cannot be recovered from matrix without destroying their integrity
Archaeological sites correct answers accumulation of these artifacts, ecofacts, and
features representing where people lived or carried out certain activities on the
landscape
Archaeological regions correct answers definable region based on topographic
boundaries, ecological, or cultural factors
, Artifacts correct answers objects and materials that people in the past made and used
Ecofacts correct answers remains of plants, animals, sediments, and unmodified
materials that result from human activity
Otzi the Iceman correct answers -tattoos were found on his ankles and wrists
-discovered to be therapeutic tattoos, evidence of early forms of medicine
macrobotanicals correct answers -seeds and fruit
-wood remains - good indicator of human choice
Colorado Coal Field War Project correct answers -working class families lived in towns
run by coal companies
-coal companies evicted families due to strike
-archaeologists examined coal sites
-discovered how living conditions informed the decision to strike
Raymond Dart correct answers -Taung baby; primate fossil in Africa
-used pattern of non-human bones to draw conclusions based on context of the site
Christian Jurgensen Thomsen correct answers -wrote "A Guide to Northern Antiquities"
in 1836
-three ages: Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age
-Started collecting old coins, arranged them in a series
-those principles guided how antiquities were studied
-helped catalog and organize artifacts
-sorted by types of artifacts, materials, etc.
-idea of chronology
James Tylor correct answers -developed theory of unilinear cultural evolution
Lewis Henry Morgan correct answers -author of Ancient Society
-three evolutionary stages based on technological innovations (savagery, barbarism,
civilization)
Low-level theory correct answers describe data, identify variables
Middle-level theory correct answers describe function, identify patterns and anomalies
-compares interpretations with other events
-family with gilded tableware could be perceived as higher status
High-level theory correct answers explain, models, laws, etc.
-based on paradigms of archaeological thought
Processual archaeology correct answers -coincided with rise of C-14 dating (secure
methods)
-"New Archaeology" of the 1960s
-focus on cultural process:
-commonalities within a society
-political structure (king, chief, etc.)
-human behavior uses these structures to adapt to changes
-cultural ecology (Ecological Model)
-cultural change involves more than just culture
-ex.: bullets and arrows were made because easily accessible game was hunted
-adaptations to the environment
-cultural evolution (Materialist Model)
-materialist, emphasis on structure over agency
-human basic needs cause changes in culture over time
The role of archaeology in anthropology correct answers anthropology is made up of
four sub disciplines, including archaeology
-begin with questions that help anthropologists learn about society
Archaeology vs. history correct answers -both focus on past human events
-archaeology deals with remains
-history only considers the rich and powerful, narrow approach
-archaeology has more of a
How archaeology is both a science and a humanity correct answers • Studies humans
and cultures,
• Like science, uses scientific method, but unlike science, many "fuzzy" answers,
Research design correct answers a systematic plan to coordinate archaeological
research to ensure the efficient use of resources and to guide the research according to
the scientific method
-steps can be done in any order
-time, labor, and money are major limitations to research design
Formulation correct answers the first stage in archaeological research design; involves
definition of the research problem and goals, background investigations, and feasibility
studies
Implementation correct answers the second stage in archaeological research design,
which involves obtaining permits, raising funds, and making logistical arrangements
Data gathering correct answers a stage in archaeological research design in which data
are gathered, normally by surface survey and excavation
Data processing correct answers a stage in archaeological research design usually
involving, in the case of artifacts, cleaning, conserving, labeling, inventorying, and
cataloging
Analysis correct answers a stage in archaeological research design in which data are
isolated, described, and structured, usually via typological classification, and
chronological, functional, technological, and constituent determinations are made
Interpretation correct answers a stage in archaeological research design involving the
synthesis of results of data analysis and the explanation of their meaning in order to
reconstruct the past
Publication correct answers the final stage of archaeological research design, providing
reports of the data and interpretations resulting from archaeological research
Consequences/impacts of archaeological research correct answers -understanding and
reconstructing the full extent of the past
-loss of artifacts
-racism
Archaeological features correct answers nonportable archaeological remains that
cannot be recovered from matrix without destroying their integrity
Archaeological sites correct answers accumulation of these artifacts, ecofacts, and
features representing where people lived or carried out certain activities on the
landscape
Archaeological regions correct answers definable region based on topographic
boundaries, ecological, or cultural factors
, Artifacts correct answers objects and materials that people in the past made and used
Ecofacts correct answers remains of plants, animals, sediments, and unmodified
materials that result from human activity
Otzi the Iceman correct answers -tattoos were found on his ankles and wrists
-discovered to be therapeutic tattoos, evidence of early forms of medicine
macrobotanicals correct answers -seeds and fruit
-wood remains - good indicator of human choice
Colorado Coal Field War Project correct answers -working class families lived in towns
run by coal companies
-coal companies evicted families due to strike
-archaeologists examined coal sites
-discovered how living conditions informed the decision to strike
Raymond Dart correct answers -Taung baby; primate fossil in Africa
-used pattern of non-human bones to draw conclusions based on context of the site
Christian Jurgensen Thomsen correct answers -wrote "A Guide to Northern Antiquities"
in 1836
-three ages: Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age
-Started collecting old coins, arranged them in a series
-those principles guided how antiquities were studied
-helped catalog and organize artifacts
-sorted by types of artifacts, materials, etc.
-idea of chronology
James Tylor correct answers -developed theory of unilinear cultural evolution
Lewis Henry Morgan correct answers -author of Ancient Society
-three evolutionary stages based on technological innovations (savagery, barbarism,
civilization)
Low-level theory correct answers describe data, identify variables
Middle-level theory correct answers describe function, identify patterns and anomalies
-compares interpretations with other events
-family with gilded tableware could be perceived as higher status
High-level theory correct answers explain, models, laws, etc.
-based on paradigms of archaeological thought
Processual archaeology correct answers -coincided with rise of C-14 dating (secure
methods)
-"New Archaeology" of the 1960s
-focus on cultural process:
-commonalities within a society
-political structure (king, chief, etc.)
-human behavior uses these structures to adapt to changes
-cultural ecology (Ecological Model)
-cultural change involves more than just culture
-ex.: bullets and arrows were made because easily accessible game was hunted
-adaptations to the environment
-cultural evolution (Materialist Model)
-materialist, emphasis on structure over agency
-human basic needs cause changes in culture over time
