Home > Courses > PRINCIPLES OF ARCHAEOLOGY | Shereen Lerner

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SYLLABUS

ASB 230
Principles of Archaeology
DRAFT
Shereen Lerner

Course Description

This class is an introduction to archaeological methods and theory. It defines the nature of archaeology as a social science including major events in the history of archaeology and the different approaches to the study of archaeology. In this class we will learn about the purpose and process of archaeological research and data acquisition and the methods used to date archaeological finds. We will identify and analyze the ways archaeologists reconstruct human behavior and explain the social relevance of archaeology to today's world. We will cover certain key principles in gaining a better understanding of archaeology. These principles include:

Stewardship: Archaeological resources are nonrenewable and finite; issues related to conservation, information retrieval, cultural resource management, and vandalism will be discussed.

Diverse interests: Diverse groups such as descendant communities, state, local and federal agencies and others compete for and have vested interests in archaeological sites. Archaeologists, therefore, share their knowledge with many diverse audiences and engage these audiences in defining the meaning and direction of their projects.

Social Relevance: We will highlight ways in which we can use the past to help us think productively about the present and the future.

Professional Ethics and Values: We will discuss how archeologists conduct themselves in relation to the resources, their data, their colleagues, and the public and why ethics and values are a critical part of the archaeological profession.

Communication: You will be asked to prepare written reports, participate in class discussions, and use the computer for a variety of activities and assignments. An archaeologist must be able to make a clear and convincing argument in public as well as professional contexts based on the analysis and interpretation of relevant information.

Basic Archaeological Skills: Through class activities you will be introduced to basic archaeological skills such as map making and reading, interpretation of data, and classification of materials.

Real World Problem Solving: Through class activities and assignments and outside opportunities, we will connect what we learn in the classroom to the real world.

Text: Ancient Lives by Brian Fagan

*This text discusses archaeological ethics, stewardship, and conservation of the past. Also provides alternative perspectives on the past and important issues for Native Americans and other indigenous peoples.

Lecture Outline

I. Introduction to Course

1. Introduce professor
2. Course purpose: The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to archaeological methods and theory.
3. Course description: This class is an introduction to archaeological methods and theory. It defines the nature of archaeology as a social science including major events in the history of archaeology and the different approaches to the study of archaeology. In this class we will learn about the purpose and process of archaeological research and data acquisition and the methods used to date archaeological finds. We will identify and analyze the ways archaeologists reconstruct human behavior and explain the social relevance of archaeology to today's world. We will cover certain key principles in gaining a better understanding of archaeology (see above). Examples of archaeological work are drawn from a variety of sources from all over the world.
4. Course objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able to:
   1. Define the nature of archaeology as a social science Document and describe evidence of occupation in the Americas
   2. Describe the major events in the history of archaeology
   3. Contrast different approaches to the study of archaeology
   4. Describe the purpose and process of archaeological research and data acquisition
   5. Describe the methods used to date archaeological finds
   6. Identify and analyze the ways archaeologists reconstruct human behavior
   7. Define the relevancy of archaeology in today's society
5. Course format
   1. Introduce MCC anthropology web area and others: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/
   2. Lectures, videos, slides, small group and class discussion
   3. Class activities
   4. Evaluations: reflections, class activities, current events, extra credit opportunities (see attached for assignments)
   5. Readings and web-based resources
6. Questions about the course?

II. Archaeology and Anthropology

1. Objectives
   1. Define the four sub fields of anthropology
   2. Explain the concept of culture through use of examples
   3. Define archaeology as a social science
   4. Define the scientific method
   5. Distinguish between archaeology and history
   6. Describe ways in which archaeology helps understand human behavior
   7. Identify diverse interests involved in archaeological research
   8. Identify why archaeology is important to understanding the past and future
2. Define anthropology (study of humankind; understand social and cultural behavior)
3. Describe each of four sub-fields (biological, cultural, linguistics, archaeology). Provide examples of how each is applied in real world.
4. Define culture; have students assist in definition, providing examples
5. Archaeology as social science: Science is concerned with gaining knowledge about the natural world by observation. Social science deals with past events that no longer can be directly observed, although the evidence left behind can be studied to reconstruct what took place. Examples.
6. Scientific method: self-correcting set of procedures for gaining and testing our knowledge of the observable world. Examples.
7. Difference between history and archaeology: example (Civil War).
8. How does archaeology help us understand human behavior? Definition: scientific study of ancient human behavior based on the surviving material remains of the past. Examples.
9. Diverse interests: diversity of archaeologists: prehistoric, classical, historical, underwater; academia, cultural resource management, government; descendant communities, the public, agencies, communities, private property owners, etc.
10. Why is archaeology important? Reconstruct and explain cultures and lifeways of ancient societies; understand human diversity; look at mysteries of the past; "archaeology provides a constant reminder of our common and recent, biological and cultural heritage, in a world where racism is commonplace." (Fagan, page 21).
11. Video
12. Read Fagan, Chapter 1.
13. Activity: Define the four subfields (branches) of anthropology. In what way are the linked together to form the discipline of anthropology? Define and discuss three key elements of culture and how each helps us better understand human behavior. http://www.wsu.edu:8001/vwsu/gened/learn-modules/top_culture/culture-index.html

III. Approaches to the study of archaeology

1. Historical perspectives
2. Goals of archaeology
3. Process of archaeological research: ethical responsibilities

IV. The archaeological record

1. Culture, cultural systems, cultural process
2. Context
3. Time and Space
4. Preservation conditions

V. Archaeological research

1. Archaeological data
2. Research design
3. Archaeological research projects

VI. Archaeological survey and excavation

1. Field survey
2. Remote sensing
3. Site survey
4. Testing
5. Excavation
6. Data processing

VII. Classification of artifacts

VIII. Archaeological age determination

1. Relative chronology
2. Absolute dating

IX. Analyzing the past

1. Artifacts
2. Ecofacts
3. Features

X. Reconstruction of past human behavior

1. Subsistence
2. Settlement and landscape
3. Trade and exchange
4. Technology
5. Spatial order and behavior
6. Belief systems
7. Social stratification
8. Interpretation

XI. Archaeology in today's world

1. Looting and antiquities collection
2. Destruction in the name of progress
3. Cultural resource management
4. Working with Descendant Communities
5. The responsibility of archaeology/archaeologists

Sample Exercises:

Grid System: understanding of context; precision of archaeological field work

Classification: illustrate difference between observation and inference and reinforce that classification is dependent on research design

Mapping: understanding context, patterns, interpretation

Dating: interpretation of data; communication

Subsistence: interpretation of data; communication

Settlement Structure: interpretation of data; communication

Cultural Resource Management/Preservation: archaeological sites as nonrenewable resources; real world problem solving; stewardship; diverse interests; ethics and values

Take Home Assignment

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© 2003-04 MATRIX
Project Director: Anne Pyburn
Indiana University Bloomington