Ecological and Processual Approaches in Archaeology
55 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the focus of the ecological and processual approaches in archaeology?

  • Explaining transitions among ancient societies by relating economic and sociopolitical changes to ecological and cultural contexts. (correct)
  • Focusing solely on the material culture of past societies.
  • Using modern technologies to make inferences about the past.
  • Describing cultural artifacts and creating typologies.

    • The direct historical approach involves using knowledge of past technologies to make inferences about modern technologies.

    False (B)

    What is the name of the archaeologist who pioneered archaeological ecology?

    Sir Grahame Clark

    According to Sahlins and Service, cultural changes are reflected in changes from subsistence, starting with ________ and ending with industrialism.

    <p>foraging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The development of electronic calculators and computers contributed most directly to which advancement in archaeology?

    <p>The use of statistical methods to study archaeological data (B), Radiocarbon dating (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Processual archaeology emphasizes the description of past societies over the processes that transform them.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name given to the premise that the archaeological record is typically affected by natural formation processes, not a perfect preservation of culture?

    <p>The Pompeii Premise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In behavioral archaeology, discarded items, refuse and midden are referred to as the ________ record.

    <p>systemic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The post-processual critique of processual archaeology argues that:

    <p>Processual archaeology forgot the culture behind the behavior, also losing the importance of history. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Gender archaeology highlights the importance of not imposing modern concepts of gender onto the past when interpreting archaeological data.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their best description:

    <p>Diffusion = Most cultural changes can be explained by this. Cultural Ecology = Adaptation to the environment can lead to changes in cultures. Structuralism = Elements of human culture must be understood in terms of their relationship to a larger structure. Positivism = Leading to hypothesis formulation and testing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'epistemology' refer to?

    <p>the theory of knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key goal of Indigenous Archaeology?

    <p>To engage in collaborative reserach, with, for and by Indigenous communities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of the neolithic revolution was created by the same people who created the concept of the ______ revolution.

    <p>urban</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cultural Resource Management involves working for private companies.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary motivation for the early study of archaeological items?

    <p>To collect and study items from the ancient world, in the context of expeditions to new worlds. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of uniformitarianism suggests that geological processes that shaped the Earth in the past are not longer at play today.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who debunked the myth of the Moundbuilders using stratigraphy?

    <p>Thomas Jefferson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The three-age system categorizes cultural material into _______, bronze, and iron ages.

    <p>stone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following archaeologists with their major contributions:

    <p>William Stukeley = Studied Stonehenge and observed solar alignments. Leopoldo Batres = Created the first archaeological map of Mexico. Gertrude Caton-Thompson = Led the first all-woman research team in Zimbabwe. Dorothy Garrod = Perfected many field techniques in the Middle East Alfred V. Kidder = Developed classification systems and chronologies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Law of Superposition?

    <p>The concept that lower strata are older than upper strata. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Historical archaeology focuses on the study of past societies based solely on written records.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe a peoples story of creation and how a culture perceives their past,

    <p>Ethnogenesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Paleolithic period is characterized by use of _______ based tools.

    <p>flint</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Uniformitarianism = Geological processes that occurred in the past are still at play today. Stratigraphy = The study of layers of rock or soil. Assemblage = A collection of artifacts related to a specific archaeological context. Ethnogenesis = A people's story of creation how a culture perceives their past. Antiquarianism = Looting or collecting artifacts from the past</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influenced V. Gordon Childe's archaeological thinking?

    <p>Marxist ideas with a focus on social and economic change. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'prehistoric archaeology' refers exclusively to the study of societies with written records.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary focus of the classificatory-historical approach in archaeology?

    <p>Creating timelines to track change over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Julio Tello defined the first _______ chronology.

    <p>Andean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following archaeological sites with the individuals notable for excavating them

    <p>Pompeii = not mentioned Chavin de Huantar = Julio Tello Pecos and Kamaljuyu = Alfred V. Kidder</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of cultural ecology emphasize?

    <p>Adaptation to the environment can lead to changes in cultures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Pompeii Premise suggests that archaeological records are typically preserved unchanged over time.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is known for pioneering behavioral archaeology?

    <p>Michael Brian Schiffer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The study of non-artifactual materials is known as ________ ecology.

    <p>archaeological</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following archaeologists with their contributions:

    <p>Sir Grahame Clark = Pioneered archaeological ecology Lewis Binford = Emphasized processual approaches Franz Boaz = Developed the direct historical approach Michael Brian Schiffer = Pioneered behavioral archaeology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The post-processual critique suggests that which aspect is essential to understand cultural changes?

    <p>Agent of change perspectives. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Structuralism maintains that elements of human culture should be understood independently of larger systems.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must researchers be cautious about according to gender archaeology?

    <p>Imposing modern concepts of gender onto the past</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The emergence of electronic calculators led to advancements in ________ methods in archaeology.

    <p>statistical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the archaeological approaches with their focus:

    <p>Processual archaeology = Study of societal transformations Behavioral archaeology = Human behavior through artifacts Post-processual archaeology = Cultural context and agency Cultural resource management = Preserving and managing archaeological sites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary focuses of Indigenous archaeology?

    <p>Engaging with indigenous communities and their perspectives. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Historical archaeology relies exclusively on artifacts and not on written records.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant goal of community-based participatory research in archaeology?

    <p>To involve the local community in the research process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Behavioral archaeology analyzes past behavior through the study of ________ assemblages.

    <p>artifactual</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'ethnogenesis' refer to in archaeology?

    <p>A people's story of creation or their cultural perception of the past (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    William Stukeley believed Stonehenge was a Roman construction.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What archaeological site was excavated starting in 1738?

    <p>Pompeii</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The three-age system classifies cultural material into ______, bronze, and iron.

    <p>stone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Historical archaeology relies solely on written records.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is known for creating the first archaeological map of Mexico?

    <p>Leopoldo Batres</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of ______ suggests that the laws forming the Earth now also shaped it in the past.

    <p>uniformitarianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following archaeological approaches with their descriptions:

    <p>Prehistoric archaeology = Non-historical study of ancient cultures Historical archaeology = Study of societies using both written records and artifacts Anthropological archaeology = Understanding cultures through modern and past lenses Area-specific archaeology = Focused studies on specific civilizations like Egypt and Maya</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of cultural evolution includes the classification of societies as savagery, barbarianism, and civilization.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who excavated Chavin de Huantar?

    <p>Julio Tello</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ age system was organized by C.J. Thomsen to classify material culture.

    <p>three</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Motivations for Studying the Past

    • Questions about the past arise from curiosity and the desire to understand origins.
    • Myths, cultures, and ethnogenesis are built upon these inquiries, providing a framework for understanding reality.
    • Often, interpretations are anchored in historical facts, migration, and cultural narratives.

    Antiquarianism and Early Archaeological Approaches

    • Antiquarianism, driven by exploration and collection, characterized early approaches to studying the past.
    • Early studies involved collecting artifacts from diverse cultures and attempting to understand their significance.

    Stonehenge and the Evolution of Archaeological Thought

    • Initial interpretations of Stonehenge were flawed, with some early scholars believing it was a Roman construction, which was later disproved.
    • Careful study of Stonehenge, particularly by William Stukeley, led to the realization of its astronomical alignments and its association with the Druids.

    Early Excavations and the Moundbuilder Myth

    • Systematic excavation of sites like Pompeii (since 1738) and "Indian mounds" (19th century) marked significant milestones.
    • The "Moundbuilder myth," a belief that Native American cultures did not construct complex mounds, was debunked by Thomas Jefferson, who used stratigraphy and logical reasoning to challenge prevailing theories.

    Influencing Disciplines and Concepts

    • Uniformitarianism – geological processes that existed in the past are still at work; meaning that the ancient world is subject to similar laws and processes to the modern world.
    • Law of superposition – lower layers are older than upper layers.
    • Concept of evolution – biological and cultural change over time. Humans have a deep history that predates recorded religious teachings if one were to adhere to an evolutionary perspective.
    • Cultural evolution – The concept of the Three-Age system (Stone, Bronze, Iron), which provided a means to classify and categorize various cultures.

    Influences from Exploration, Colonialism, and Comparative Studies

    • Exploration and colonialism led to the recording of diverse indigenous cultures, enabling comparative analysis and broadening the perspective on interpretations of the archaeological record.
    • This broadened the range of cultures interpreted.
    • Classifications of civilizations based on technology and social organization impacted research methodologies.

    Development of Field Archaeology

    • Advances emphasized meticulous recording, including stratigraphy, site plans, and grid systems.
    • Key figures shaping the field include Leopoldo Batres (early Mexican archaeology but criticized methodology) , Julio Tello (Andean chronology), and Gertrude Caton-Thompson (pioneering female archaeologist and all-woman research teams).
    • Important figures developed tools and methodologies for accurate excavations and interpretations (e.g. ,Henri Breuil, Dorothy Garrod, Alfred V. Kidder).

    Different Types of Archaeology

    • Prehistoric archaeology (non-historical): Studies ancient cultures lacking written records.
    • Historical archaeology: Explores cultures with written records.
    • Classificatory-Historical Approach: Aims to create timelines of cultural change by identifying artifact types associated with specific time periods, and to associate those findings to behaviors of ancient peoples
    • Archaeological sciences: Utilize scientific methods like radiocarbon dating, and computational methods to gather and interpret data.

    Processual (New) Archaeology

    • Focuses on understanding the processes that shape societies.
    • Emphasizes the testing of hypotheses and the use of experimental and ethnoarchaeological approaches.
    • Relies on advanced methodology to gain better insight into the past (e.g., Lewis Binford).

    Post-Processual Critique

    • Emphasizes human agency and cultural context in interpreting archaeological data. It is a critique of the assumption that cultures or human behaviors can be understood from only logical principles without consideration of inherent cultural influences or agency.
    • Recognizes the limitations of purely logical or environmental models for cultural interpretation.

    Gender Archaeology and Feminist Critiques

    • Early approaches were frequently influenced by heteronormative white male perspectives, creating bias.
    • Modern approaches emphasize recognizing and accounting for gender and cultural influences in archaeological analysis.

    Structuralism and Practice Theory

    • Emphasizes relationships between cultural elements and broader structures.
    • Incorporates both agency and larger cultural structures in interpretation.

    Archaeology Beyond Academia, and Cultural Resource Management

    • Archaeological findings often influence policies and decisions related to cultural heritage.
    • Archaeological research is now interwoven with modern life issues, including economic constraints, and even ethical discussions and activism.

    Archaeology and Indigenous Knowledge

    • Increased collaboration with indigenous communities and research approaches adapted from indigenous cultures.
    • Use of both indigenous and scientific epistemologies within archaeological studies.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the ecological and processual approaches in archaeology. This quiz covers significant concepts and key figures in the field, including archaeological ecology and the evolution of subsistence strategies. Enhance your understanding of how these approaches influence interpretations of the past.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser