This course is an introduction to the methods and theories of
archaeology.  Archaeology is the study of past human societies based
on material remains left behind by people.  We will explore the
different kinds of anthropological questions archaeologists have asked
about human societies in the past, and the different ways that
archaeologists formulate interpretations about social organization,
subsistence, environment, architecture, trade, economic systems, and
political life based on archaeological data.  You will learn about the
goals of archaeology as a subdiscipline within anthropology and the
development of archaeology as a scientific discipline.  Archaeologists
employ a wide range of techniques to collect and analyze material
remains, including settlement survey, excavation, environmental
reconstruction, laboratory analysis of artifacts, dating techniques,
and microscale analytical methods borrowed from the physical sciences.

Throughout the semester, we will draw on examples of archaeological
research from across the globe and will discuss major issues and
transitions in world prehistory.  Examples include the peopling of the
New World, the transition to sedentary lifestyles, the development of
cities and monumental architecture, and interpretations of everyday
social life, identity, family structure, and community membership.  We
will also discuss contemporary issues related to archaeology, such as
museums, site preservation, looting, and use of the archaeological
past in nation building and ethnic politics.  Students should come
away from this class with a solid background in how archaeologists do
their work, what we have learned from archaeological research about
ancient human societies, and how archaeology can be applied to the
contemporary world.

Students will be evaluated based on attendance and participation,
written assignments, and two exams.