Archaeology Final Exam Questions With
Verified Answers
Bioarcheology
the study of the human biological component of the archaeological record
Osteology
Study of bones
Burial Population
A set of human burials that come from a certain region and a certain time period
Paleopathology
study of ancient patterns of diseases and disorders
Molecular Archaeology
uses genetic material (DNA) from ancient people to reconstruct population migrations
- mitochondrial DNA and genetic material in Y-chromosomes are especially useful
Molecular Clock
rate of DNA mutations
Nuclear DNA
genetic material found in cell's nuclei
Gene
a unit of the chromosomes that controls inheritance of particular traits
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Genetic material found in the mitochondria of cells
How can you tell the sex of a human based off of their pelvis?
Females: greater sub-pubic angle; closer to 90 degrees; more rounded
Males: smaller sub-pubic angle; closer to 45 degrees; more narrow
How can you tell the sex of a human based on their sciatic notch?
Females: much wider sciatic notch
Males: much narrower sciatic notch
How can you tell the sex of human remains based on their skull structure?
Females: smoother skull, rounder chin, smaller supraorbital ridge (eyebrow ridge)
Males: more rough (rugose) skull, more extreme supraorbital ridges, square chin
How can you determine the age of human remains at their death based on their teeth?
- whether they have deciduous (baby) teeth
, - use/wear of the teeth
How can you determine the age of human remains at their death based on their bones?
- whether the diaphysis and epiphysis of bone have ossified (fused together)
- whether the fontanelle (sutures at top of cranium) have grown or almost completely fused together.
How can you determine what diet the ancient human had?
- dental hypoplasia (underdevelopment of tooth enamel due to illness or malnourishment)
- bone chemistry and isotopic composition of bones
Cognitive Archaeology
the study of aspects of ancient culture that are the product of the human mind
- perception, description, and classification of the universe
Archeoastronomy
study of how ancient people envisioned the stars and planets
- astronomy from a cultural perspective
- often measured using monumental structures
The nature of the supernatural
- anything above nature
- spiritual importance/religions
-tripartite scheme
- the dead, ghosts, witchcraft, conjuring
Religion
set of beliefs about one's relationship with the supernatural
Ritual
behaviors that must be performed in a particular order under particular circumstances
- often have important tools associated with them
***must be habitual
Animistic Religion
everything has a spirit and should be treated as such
- mainly hunter/gatherer societies
- usually no separation of religious practice and belief
Cosmology
study of the origin, large-scale structure, and future of the universe
- origin story
Iconography
art forms or writing systems that symbolically represent ideas about religion or cosmology
- ex: Blombos Cave, South Africa
Verified Answers
Bioarcheology
the study of the human biological component of the archaeological record
Osteology
Study of bones
Burial Population
A set of human burials that come from a certain region and a certain time period
Paleopathology
study of ancient patterns of diseases and disorders
Molecular Archaeology
uses genetic material (DNA) from ancient people to reconstruct population migrations
- mitochondrial DNA and genetic material in Y-chromosomes are especially useful
Molecular Clock
rate of DNA mutations
Nuclear DNA
genetic material found in cell's nuclei
Gene
a unit of the chromosomes that controls inheritance of particular traits
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Genetic material found in the mitochondria of cells
How can you tell the sex of a human based off of their pelvis?
Females: greater sub-pubic angle; closer to 90 degrees; more rounded
Males: smaller sub-pubic angle; closer to 45 degrees; more narrow
How can you tell the sex of a human based on their sciatic notch?
Females: much wider sciatic notch
Males: much narrower sciatic notch
How can you tell the sex of human remains based on their skull structure?
Females: smoother skull, rounder chin, smaller supraorbital ridge (eyebrow ridge)
Males: more rough (rugose) skull, more extreme supraorbital ridges, square chin
How can you determine the age of human remains at their death based on their teeth?
- whether they have deciduous (baby) teeth
, - use/wear of the teeth
How can you determine the age of human remains at their death based on their bones?
- whether the diaphysis and epiphysis of bone have ossified (fused together)
- whether the fontanelle (sutures at top of cranium) have grown or almost completely fused together.
How can you determine what diet the ancient human had?
- dental hypoplasia (underdevelopment of tooth enamel due to illness or malnourishment)
- bone chemistry and isotopic composition of bones
Cognitive Archaeology
the study of aspects of ancient culture that are the product of the human mind
- perception, description, and classification of the universe
Archeoastronomy
study of how ancient people envisioned the stars and planets
- astronomy from a cultural perspective
- often measured using monumental structures
The nature of the supernatural
- anything above nature
- spiritual importance/religions
-tripartite scheme
- the dead, ghosts, witchcraft, conjuring
Religion
set of beliefs about one's relationship with the supernatural
Ritual
behaviors that must be performed in a particular order under particular circumstances
- often have important tools associated with them
***must be habitual
Animistic Religion
everything has a spirit and should be treated as such
- mainly hunter/gatherer societies
- usually no separation of religious practice and belief
Cosmology
study of the origin, large-scale structure, and future of the universe
- origin story
Iconography
art forms or writing systems that symbolically represent ideas about religion or cosmology
- ex: Blombos Cave, South Africa
