ARCHAEOLOGY 197 - EXAM 2 WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS [ GRADED A+]
Paradigm - ✔✔overarching framework, often understated, for
understanding a research problem
Descriptive approach - ✔✔basic data collection with a simple
"atheoretical" description. describing remains and how they look,
analysis before lab work typical of the 18th-19th centuries.
Cultural History approach - ✔✔establish cultural chronology.
often based on stratigraphic excavation. create artifact
taxonomies (i.e. types). Characteristics of late 19th - early 20th
century.
Processual paradigm:
-resourceful
-efficient
, -heirarchical - ✔✔aka the new archaeology. positivistic (we can
interpret the past). seeks scientific rigor. application of scientific
method. Looks to improve objectivity while minimizing bias.
search for universal laws that govern human behavior. focus on
adaptive behaviors. rational actor assumption. characteristic of
late 20th century.
Post-processual paradigm:
-model of an ideal
-insular
-heirarchical - ✔✔reaction to processual archaeology. alternative
to generalizing theory. questions notion of positivism/objectivity.
challenges rational actor perspective. Embraces complexity of
human behavior. seeks more nuanced approach. agent-centered.
often pursues an explicit political/social agenda. inclusive of
stakeholders and invited multiple "narrratives"/ voices. Also about
combating bias. a tree vs forest approach. characteristic of last 2
decades.
COMPLETE ANSWERS [ GRADED A+]
Paradigm - ✔✔overarching framework, often understated, for
understanding a research problem
Descriptive approach - ✔✔basic data collection with a simple
"atheoretical" description. describing remains and how they look,
analysis before lab work typical of the 18th-19th centuries.
Cultural History approach - ✔✔establish cultural chronology.
often based on stratigraphic excavation. create artifact
taxonomies (i.e. types). Characteristics of late 19th - early 20th
century.
Processual paradigm:
-resourceful
-efficient
, -heirarchical - ✔✔aka the new archaeology. positivistic (we can
interpret the past). seeks scientific rigor. application of scientific
method. Looks to improve objectivity while minimizing bias.
search for universal laws that govern human behavior. focus on
adaptive behaviors. rational actor assumption. characteristic of
late 20th century.
Post-processual paradigm:
-model of an ideal
-insular
-heirarchical - ✔✔reaction to processual archaeology. alternative
to generalizing theory. questions notion of positivism/objectivity.
challenges rational actor perspective. Embraces complexity of
human behavior. seeks more nuanced approach. agent-centered.
often pursues an explicit political/social agenda. inclusive of
stakeholders and invited multiple "narrratives"/ voices. Also about
combating bias. a tree vs forest approach. characteristic of last 2
decades.
