ANTH 202 Chapter 13 Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does the paradigm known as unilineal cultural evolution argue?

Western civilization is considered the most advanced evolutionary stage. (correct)

Human societies have evolved along multiple developmental trajectories.

All cultures develop independently of one another.

Cultural evolution is random and unpredictable.

What is the term for the position held by Franz Boas regarding cultural uniqueness?

Historical particularism

How did the 19th-century comparative method view cultural diversity?

As an evolutionary sequence representing different stages of progress.

What philosophical movement are unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method rooted in?

Enlightenment philosophy Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the 19th-century comparative method have on the perception of 'primitive' peoples?

It legitimized their domination by Europeans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process through which some individuals survive and reproduce at higher rates?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

In John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook, what did he argue about contemporary 'primitives'?

They were living approximations of what Europeans used to be. Signup and view all the answers

What justification did 19th-century social Darwinism provide?

Unfettered economic competition and warfare. Signup and view all the answers

What type of society is characterized by egalitarianism, low population density, and flexible membership?

Tribe Signup and view all the answers

What type of society is defined by high population density and social organization based on class membership?

State Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between modern cultural evolutionary paradigms and 19th-century unilineal evolutionism?

Modern evolutionism incorporates ecological and technological factors, and avoids racial bias. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a civilization in anthropological terms?

A complex urban society with high cultural achievement and stratification. Signup and view all the answers

Egalitarian societies are associated with , while chiefdoms and states are associated with.

Hunting and gathering; intensive agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a major independent hearth of plant domestication?

Australia Signup and view all the answers

What is the oasis theory?

The theory explaining animal domestication as a response to arid conditions post-Pleistocene. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hilly flanks theory?

The theory that agriculture arose from efforts to increase the productivity of wild ancestors of crops. Signup and view all the answers

What does the density-equilibrium theory explain?

The origins of agriculture as a result of population growth exceeding hunting and gathering capacity. Signup and view all the answers

A(n) ____________ perspective demonstrates that domestication began with wild plants of low return rates.

Optimal foraging. Signup and view all the answers

What period marks the beginning of the use of ground stone tools and domesticated crops in the Near East?

Neolithic. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors likely contributed to the origins of agriculture?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis suggests that irrigation was responsible for archaic states' origins?

Irrigation hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What does the warfare and circumscription hypothesis explain regarding state origins?

Population growth and limited agricultural resources leading to increased warfare. Signup and view all the answers

How many people lived in the lowland Maya area during the Classic period?

10,000,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Maya kings is true?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What were Maya hieroglyphics primarily used to record?

Significant events in Maya history. Signup and view all the answers

Which two calendar types in the Maya civilization overlap every 52 years?

The Vague Year and the Sacred Almanac. Signup and view all the answers

What factors likely explain the formation of the Maya state?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to the collapse of culture on Rapa Nui?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between sufficient and necessary conditions in an explanation?

Sufficient conditions are the minimum needed for change to occur. Signup and view all the answers

Why does archaeology construct specific historical sequences?

To compare and seek patterns to explain major cultural evolutionary transitions. Signup and view all the answers

When analyzing the origins of agriculture, what do paradigms contribute?

Each paradigm adds to a final explanation. Signup and view all the answers

A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is ________________ for an agriculturalist.

Necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What does anthropology think about the paradigm of unilineal cultural evolution?

It has long ago been discarded. Signup and view all the answers

What does ethnocentrism mean?

The belief that one's cultural ways are superior to others. Signup and view all the answers

Egalitarian societies are associated with _ and ____.

Hunting and gathering; horticulture. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'archaic' refer to in relation to states?

It distinguishes ancient social forms from modern industrial states. Signup and view all the answers

Once archaeological data began to accumulate, archaeologists shifted their attention from _____ of plant and animal domestication to .

What and when; why. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence has ethnographic research found regarding hunters and gatherers?

They know about agriculture but continue to hunt and gather. Signup and view all the answers

A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is necessary for an agriculturalist, but such knowledge is not sufficient to inspire all foragers to transform into agriculturalists.

True Signup and view all the answers

John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook Prehistoric Times (1865) led to the belief that contemporary 'primitives' were living relics of prehistory.

True Signup and view all the answers

The comparative method of 19th-century social science took diversity in cultures and put them in an evolutionary sequence.

True Signup and view all the answers

Although unilineal cultural evolution collapsed under the assault by Boas and his students, archaeological data show strong regularities in human cultural evolution.

True Signup and view all the answers

Prior to about 12,000 years ago, all humans lived in chiefdoms.

False Signup and view all the answers

To an archaeologist, 'civilization' refers only to those cultures with writing systems.

False Signup and view all the answers

Agriculture developed only once roughly 10,000 years ago in the Near East.

False Signup and view all the answers

The density equilibrium model argues that people will adopt domesticated plants whenever exposed to them.

False Signup and view all the answers

Optimal foraging theory operates on the principle that humans will select foods offering high return rates.

True Signup and view all the answers

Evidence supporting Unilineal Evolution includes the rapid adoption of agriculture by hunter-gatherers.

False Signup and view all the answers

Archaic state formation did not occur anywhere until roughly AD 500.

False Signup and view all the answers

Ideology masks exploitative relations between classes or social groups.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unilineal Cultural Evolution

Proposes a single developmental trajectory of human societies, viewing Western civilization as the pinnacle of evolution.
Critiqued for its implication that non-Western societies are "primitive" and less evolved.

Historical Particularism

Franz Boas' perspective emphasizing that each culture evolves through its unique historical circumstances and developments.
Stresses the influence of chance and specific contexts in cultural change.

19th Century Comparative Method

Initially involved creating an evolutionary hierarchy of cultures based on cultural diversity.
Shifted towards hypothesis testing against cultural variations in contemporary anthropology.

Enlightenment Philosophy

Both unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method drew heavily from Enlightenment thought, promoting rationality and scientific inquiry.

Colonial Justification

The 19th-century comparative method contributed to legitimizing European colonialism, framing the domination of "primitive" societies as a natural order.

Natural Selection

Describes the process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, influencing genetic evolution.

John Lubbock's Perspective

Argued in "Prehistoric Times" that living "primitives" provide insights into early human conditions, supporting the view of cultural evolution as linear.

Provided a rationale for economic competition and warfare in the 19th century, linking survival of the fittest to societal success.

Boas and Cultural Diversity

Boas and his students opposed unilineal evolution, emphasizing the uniqueness of all cultures and prioritizing detailed ethnographic studies.

Types of Societies

Tribes: Characterized by egalitarian foraging with resource sharing and flexible membership.
States: Defined by high population density, class divisions, specialized roles, and elite resource control.

Modern Cultural Evolution

Focuses on ecological and technological influences on cultural evolution, distancing itself from the racist ideas of the past.
Recognizes the complexity of cultural behavior beyond biological determinism.

Civilization Definition

Refers to a complex urban society with advanced cultural achievements, specialized labor, resource surpluses, and social hierarchies.

Agricultural Developments

Major independent centers for plant domestication exclude Australia; centers include regions in the Americas and the Fertile Crescent.
Oasis Theory (V. Gordon Childe): Suggests animal domestication arose due to water scarcity pushing animals and humans together.
Hilly Flanks Theory (Robert Braidwood): Proposes agriculture resulted from efforts to enhance food stability near wild grain origins.
Density-Equilibrium Theory (Binford): Attributes agriculture to population growth surpassing available resources in hunting-gathering societies.

Neolithic Period

Marked by the creation of ground stone tools, ceramics, and reliance on domesticated species.

Factors Impacting Agriculture Origins

Climatic changes, population pressure, and human intentionality were crucial to the transition from foraging to farming.

Rise of Archaic States

Karl Wittfogel's irrigation hypothesis connects large-scale irrigation to the emergence of political regulation and state formation.
Warfare and circumscription hypothesis (Robert Carneiro) links state origins to population growth and limited resources leading to conflict.
The lowland Maya, during the Classic period, experienced significant population growth, peaking at around 10 million.

Maya Kings and Culture

Maya rulers claimed divine descent, exacting tribute and competing for power; they played crucial roles in maintaining cosmic order.
Hieroglyphics served to document pivotal historical moments; the Maya constructed complex calendrical systems interlinking time.

Rapa Nui Collapse

Contributing factors included ecological limitations, deforestation for housing, and predation by introduced species like rats.

Cultural Transition Mechanisms

Archaeology seeks to identify necessary and sufficient conditions for cultural transitions by establishing historical sequences and patterns.

Knowledge in Agriculture

A foundational understanding of plant reproduction is essential for agriculture but does not automatically transition foragers into farmers.

Discarding Unilineal Evolution

Anthropology has moved beyond unilineal cultural evolution to embrace more nuanced understandings of culture.

Ethnocentrism

Reflects the belief in the superiority of one's own culture, often leading to misinterpretations of other cultures.

Archaic vs. Modern States

"Archaic" refers to ancient forms of social organization, distinct from contemporary industrial structures.

Archaeology's Evolving Focus

Transitioned from "what and when" questions about domestication to understanding the "why" behind agricultural developments.

Ethnographic Evidence

Studies show foragers often maintain hunting-gathering lifestyles despite knowledge of agriculture, indicating cultural preferences and adaptations.

True/False Statements

General concepts and specifics about the nature of agricultural knowledge, cultural evolution, and archaeological interpretations illustrate broader anthropological principles.

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Test your knowledge on key concepts in cultural anthropology with this quiz based on Chapter 13 of ANTH 202. The focus is on influential theories such as unilineal cultural evolution and the contributions of Franz Boas. Prepare to explore the unique developmental paths of different cultures.

ANTH 202 Chapter 13 Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does the paradigm known as unilineal cultural evolution argue?

What is the term for the position held by Franz Boas regarding cultural uniqueness?

How did the 19th-century comparative method view cultural diversity?

What philosophical movement are unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method rooted in?

What effect did the 19th-century comparative method have on the perception of 'primitive' peoples?

What is the process through which some individuals survive and reproduce at higher rates?

In John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook, what did he argue about contemporary 'primitives'?

What justification did 19th-century social Darwinism provide?

What type of society is characterized by egalitarianism, low population density, and flexible membership?

What type of society is defined by high population density and social organization based on class membership?

What is the main difference between modern cultural evolutionary paradigms and 19th-century unilineal evolutionism?

What constitutes a civilization in anthropological terms?

Egalitarian societies are associated with , while chiefdoms and states are associated with.

Which of the following is not a major independent hearth of plant domestication?

What is the oasis theory?

What is the hilly flanks theory?

What does the density-equilibrium theory explain?

A(n) ____________ perspective demonstrates that domestication began with wild plants of low return rates.

What period marks the beginning of the use of ground stone tools and domesticated crops in the Near East?

Which factors likely contributed to the origins of agriculture?

What hypothesis suggests that irrigation was responsible for archaic states' origins?

What does the warfare and circumscription hypothesis explain regarding state origins?

How many people lived in the lowland Maya area during the Classic period?

Which statement about Maya kings is true?

What were Maya hieroglyphics primarily used to record?

Which two calendar types in the Maya civilization overlap every 52 years?

What factors likely explain the formation of the Maya state?

What factors contributed to the collapse of culture on Rapa Nui?

What is the difference between sufficient and necessary conditions in an explanation?

Why does archaeology construct specific historical sequences?

When analyzing the origins of agriculture, what do paradigms contribute?

A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is ________________ for an agriculturalist.

What does anthropology think about the paradigm of unilineal cultural evolution?

What does ethnocentrism mean?

Egalitarian societies are associated with _________ and ____________.

What does 'archaic' refer to in relation to states?

Once archaeological data began to accumulate, archaeologists shifted their attention from _________________ of plant and animal domestication to ____________.

What evidence has ethnographic research found regarding hunters and gatherers?

A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is necessary for an agriculturalist, but such knowledge is not sufficient to inspire all foragers to transform into agriculturalists.

John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook Prehistoric Times (1865) led to the belief that contemporary 'primitives' were living relics of prehistory.

The comparative method of 19th-century social science took diversity in cultures and put them in an evolutionary sequence.

Although unilineal cultural evolution collapsed under the assault by Boas and his students, archaeological data show strong regularities in human cultural evolution.

Prior to about 12,000 years ago, all humans lived in chiefdoms.

To an archaeologist, 'civilization' refers only to those cultures with writing systems.

Agriculture developed only once roughly 10,000 years ago in the Near East.

The density equilibrium model argues that people will adopt domesticated plants whenever exposed to them.

Optimal foraging theory operates on the principle that humans will select foods offering high return rates.

Evidence supporting Unilineal Evolution includes the rapid adoption of agriculture by hunter-gatherers.

Archaic state formation did not occur anywhere until roughly AD 500.

Ideology masks exploitative relations between classes or social groups.

Study Notes

Unilineal Cultural Evolution

Historical Particularism

19th Century Comparative Method

Enlightenment Philosophy

Colonial Justification

Natural Selection

John Lubbock's Perspective

Social Darwinism

Boas and Cultural Diversity

Types of Societies

Modern Cultural Evolution

Civilization Definition

Agricultural Developments

Neolithic Period

Factors Impacting Agriculture Origins

Rise of Archaic States

Maya Kings and Culture

Rapa Nui Collapse

Cultural Transition Mechanisms

Knowledge in Agriculture

Discarding Unilineal Evolution

Ethnocentrism

Archaic vs. Modern States

Archaeology's Evolving Focus

Ethnographic Evidence

True/False Statements

Studying That Suits You

Egalitarian societies are associated with _ and ____.

Once archaeological data began to accumulate, archaeologists shifted their attention from _____ of plant and animal domestication to .