Ethno-Archaeology Overview
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Questions and Answers

What was the primary focus of archaeologists before the adoption of new technologies?

  • Interpreting ethnographic data
  • Reconstructing cultural activities of ancestors
  • Collecting, classifying, and establishing chronology of antiquities (correct)
  • Analyzing social organization structures

What is the main purpose of ethno-archaeology?

  • To study the material remains of past cultures.
  • To understand past cultures using contemporary ethnic groups. (correct)
  • To classify and chronologically arrange archaeological artifacts.
  • To analyze ancient artifacts through technological advancements.

Who coined the term 'ethno-archaeology'?

  • Jesse Fewkes (correct)
  • Dhavalikar
  • Basanta K. Mohanta
  • Western Archaeologists

What change in perception has occurred among archaeologists regarding the significance of social organization?

<p>They are now starting to pay more attention to significance of social organization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial approach of Western archaeologists to interpreting evidence?

<p>Using ethnographic data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the recent trends in archaeological research?

<p>Systematic collection of ethnographic data for archaeological purposes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of merging traditional methods with anthropological theory in archaeology?

<p>An attempt to reconstruct cultural activities of ancestors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'ethno-archaeology' combines which two fields of study?

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

Which of the following best describes the role of anthropology in archaeology?

<p>It offers theoretical frameworks for interpreting cultural changes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key contribution of biological anthropology to archaeology?

<p>Determining the age, sex, and DNA from skeletal remains (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is ethno-archaeology's primary function, as related to archaeology?

<p>To study living cultures to interpret past ones (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who primarily practices ethno-archaeology?

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

What is a major reason for the continued research in ethno-archaeology despite it not being fully institutionalized?

<p>The low cost of ethno archaeological fieldwork compared to archaeological excavation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the career paths of people who engage in ethno-archaeology?

<p>They often switch between ethno-archaeology and archaeology. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do social anthropology's models and theories help archaeologists?

<p>By adding context to understand social structures from archaeological data (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a less common participant in ethnoarchaeological research?

<p>Socio-cultural anthropologists. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of fishing implements used in shallow streams?

<p>They are arranged to trap fish preventing their return. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides using fixed traps, how else do individuals in the community collect fish?

<p>By hand and with small nets in streams. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the monsoon season, where might people gather fish?

<p>In paddy fields using small traps. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of anthropological, ethnological and sociological studies of art and craft?

<p>The social and economic organization of artisan groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do art historians, ceramicists, and metallurgists primarily focus on when studying art and craft?

<p>The objects themselves and their production techniques. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates ethnoarchaeologists from other scholars studying craft?

<p>They specifically want to interpret the materials of production and their significance in culture. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the knowledge of art and craft generally passed through generations?

<p>By the process of socialization within communities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a limitation of ethnoarchaeology?

<p>It is unable to provide all the essential data to archaeologists. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do ethno-archaeology practitioners play within modern anthropology?

<p>They occupy a central position even if not fully exploited. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did the broader use of ethnographic work in archaeology begin in India?

<p>Mid of the 20th century. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scholar emphasized the importance of ethnographic work for archaeology in the early part of the 20th century in India?

<p>John Marshall, E. Mackay, Ananda Coomarswamy, P. Mitra and Furer-Haimendorf (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who called for effective collaboration between anthropologists and archaeologists in India in 1966?

<p>G.S. Ray (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before the active promotion of ethno-archaeology, which of these was a common problem in the field?

<p>Ethnographic data was rarely used for explaining archaeological evidence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Malik suggest about archaeology?

<p>Archaeology should integrate insights from social sciences like anthropology and sociology. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a main issue affecting ethno-archaeology in India until recently?

<p>It was not widely accepted as a separate and important branch of archaeology. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the text content?

<p>A discussion focused on the role and evolution of ethno-archaeology in India. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tribes is specifically known for their expertise in bamboo craft?

<p>Mahali (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The traditional iron smelting technique is most associated with which of these tribal communities?

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

Which tribe is mentioned as being renowned for their rope-making skills?

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

The Soura tribe is particularly well known for what type of artistic expression?

<p>Wall painting (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which practice is NOT specifically mentioned as a form of art and craft by the tribes in Eastern India?

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

How is 'exchange' defined in its most general sense?

<p>It is the transfer of goods and services between people. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of trade and exchange in an ethno-archaeological context, according to the text?

<p>It includes various mechanisms like gifting and alliances, along with markets. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the authors suggest about the connection between trade and the development of governance?

<p>The desire to control trade is often linked with the spread of state policies and empires. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which craft traditions are specifically mentioned as having potential for demonstrating technological continuity from the past?

<p>Iron-smelting, pottery, terracotta, and dokra craft (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of tribal mortuary practices is considered most relevant for archaeological study?

<p>The location of burial, type of pit, direction of body, and grave goods (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical characteristic of tribal exchange systems mentioned in the text?

<p>Simple exchange systems involving goods, services, and gifts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can the study of tribal settlements and subsistence systems contribute to our understanding of the past?

<p>By providing insight into primitive ecology, environment, and climate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In addition to the craft and burial practices, what other kind of ethnographic data can help reconstruct past cultures according to the text?

<p>The type and nature of housing and daily use materials (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What specific aspect of grave goods arrangement can provide crucial data for further archaeological study?

<p>The specific position and arrangement of objects within the grave (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can comparing the size, rock type, and direction of memorial stones help with?

<p>Comparing mortuary practices of different tribes and archaeological evidence. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the relationship between tribal trade and settlement patterns?

<p>Tribal trade networks rarely extend beyond their immediate region. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is ethnoarchaeology?

Ethnoarchaeology is a field that uses knowledge of living cultures to understand past ones.

What is the purpose of ethnoarchaeology?

Ethnoarchaeology helps archaeologists understand the social organization, cultural practices, and material culture of past societies by studying living cultures.

How does ethnoarchaeology differ from traditional archaeology?

Traditionally, archaeologists focused on collecting and classifying artifacts. However, ethnoarchaeology emphasizes understanding the social context of objects.

What disciplines does ethnoarchaeology connect?

Ethnoarchaeology bridges the gap between archaeology and anthropology by incorporating anthropological theories and methodologies.

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How do ethnoarchaeologists use ethnographic data?

Ethnoarchaeologists observe and document how modern cultures use and create objects, providing insights into how ancient people might have done the same.

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What is a key shift in how ethnoarchaeologists collect ethnographic data?

Ethnoarchaeology involves collecting ethnographic data systematically to use in archaeological interpretations, moving beyond just using existing ethnographic information.

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When and how did ethnoarchaeology emerge as a field?

Ethnoarchaeology has emerged as a distinct branch of archaeology, offering a new lens for understanding past cultures. It was introduced by Jesse Fewkes in 1900.

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What is the significance of ethnoarchaeology?

Ethnoarchaeology provides a valuable tool for reconstructing the daily lives, social structures, and cultural practices of past civilizations.

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Ethnoarchaeology

The study of how people use and make objects, providing insights into past cultures.

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Interdisciplinary Archaeology

Archaeology relies on other disciplines to understand past cultures, like anthropology, which helps interpret human behavior.

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Biological Anthropology in Archaeology

Using skeletal remains to determine the age and sex of past individuals.

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Social Anthropology in Archaeology

Applying social anthropology theories to archaeological data to understand social structures and cultural changes.

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Egalitarian Societies to Stratification

The study of how simple societies transition into complex ones with hierarchy and social stratification.

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Culture Change Theories

The study of the development and changes in cultural ideas and practices.

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Ethnoarchaeological Research

In the context of ethnoarchaeology, researchers might study modern craftsmen to understand ancient pottery-making techniques.

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Ethnoarchaeology Researchers and their Focus

Researchers involved in ethnoarchaeology come from different backgrounds like archaeology and anthropology.

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Anthropological Archaeology

A subfield of archaeology that focuses on the role of anthropology in understanding past cultures.

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Processual Archaeology

The approach to archaeology that emphasizes scientific methods and the understanding of cultural processes.

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Evolutionary Perspective

The tendency to view the past as a continuous series of developments.

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Tribe

A group of people sharing a common culture, language, and traditions.

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Interpretive Archaeology

The approach to archaeology that focuses on understanding the meanings behind ancient objects and artifacts, rather than just their material properties.

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Ethnographic Data in Archaeology

The use of ethnographic data to inform the interpretation of archaeological findings.

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Anthropology in Archaeological Research

The use of anthropological methods and theories to understand the development and meaning of archaeological sites.

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Fixed Fishing Traps

A fishing technique where traps are fixed in narrow, shallow water channels, allowing fish to enter but not escape.

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Exchange

The practice of exchanging goods or services between people. It can include activities like bartering, gifting, or formal trade.

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Intergenerational Transmission of Craft

Artisans traditionally transfer knowledge of crafts, techniques, and design from generation to generation through practices like apprenticeship and family traditions.

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Jajmani

A traditional system of patron-client relationships, where specific services are exchanged between families or groups.

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Limitations of Ethnoarchaeology

Ethnoarchaeology's limitations involve the challenge of applying modern cultural practices to ancient societies, requiring caution in direct comparisons.

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Tribal Arts and Crafts in Eastern India

Various indigenous groups in eastern India are known for their traditional artistry and craft skills. Examples include the Asur and Kolha with iron smelting, the Mahali with bamboo craft, and the Birhor with rope making.

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Distribution Patterns in Craft Production

Ethnoarchaeologists study how materials, techniques, and products move within a community, providing insights on economic systems and social interactions.

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Distribution of Resources and Information

The transfer of goods, ideas, and even armies across different regions through trade and exchange.

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Multidisciplinary Study of Craft

Scholars from different disciplines study craft from various perspectives, including social organization, material analysis, and historical context.

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Connecting Craft to Culture

Ethnoarchaeology aims to understand the relationship between the production, distribution, and consumption of material items, connecting these patterns to social structures and cultures.

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Significance of Trade and Exchange in Ethnoarchaeology

The study of trade and exchange helps us understand how communities interact, and how different societies have evolved over time.

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Non-Market Forms of Exchange in Ancient Times

While markets are familiar to us, they are not always well-represented in archaeological evidence, suggesting that other forms of exchange may have been prevalent in ancient societies.

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Ethnoarchaeology and Archaeological Interpretation

Archaeologists rely on information from ethnoarchaeology to understand past technologies, material practices, and the organization of ancient communities.

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Mortuary Practices

The study of ancient burial practices, including the size, shape, and arrangement of graves, to understand past cultures.

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Barter System

The exchange of goods and services between people, often in simple societies like tribal communities.

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Social Organization

The way a society is structured, including its social hierarchy and how resources are distributed.

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Settlement Patterns

The ways in which people build and live in their homes, including the materials used, the layout, and the location.

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Subsistence Strategies

The study of how people use natural resources to survive, including farming, hunting, gathering, and fishing.

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Archaeological Remains

The remains of past building structures, artifacts, and waste, which can tell us about how people lived.

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Archaeological Excavation

Collecting and analyzing the evidence found at an archaeological site, including artifacts, structures, and other physical remains.

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Study Notes

Book Title and Editors

  • Dimensions of Anthropological Research in India
  • Editors: Jayanta Sarkar, Arabinda Basu, Ajit K. Singh

Publication Information

  • Copyright 2012, The Indian Anthropological Society
  • First published: September 2012
  • Published by: The Indian Anthropological Society
  • Address for correspondence: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700 016
  • Email: [email protected]
  • ISBN: 81-85525-06-4
  • Price: Rs. 800.00 / US $ 50.00
  • Printed by: Creative Data Centre
  • Address: 5/8/32, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata-700 045

Contents Summary

  • Acknowledgements (page ix)
  • Introduction (page xv)
  • Section I: Prehistoric Archaeology/Ethno-archaeology
    • Ethno archaeology of Eastern India - Basanta K. Mohanta (page 1)
    • Anthropology of Art: Visual Imagery of Rock Art as a Source for Interpreting Ethno-History of India - Somnath Chakraverty (page 32)
  • Section II: Biological Anthropology
    • Some Aspects of Evolutionary Biology of Primate Hair - Madhumati Chatterjee, Jyoti Ratan Ghosh, Arup Ratan Bandyopadhyay (page 61)
    • Impact of Age and Body Mass Index on Pregnancy Outcome: A Retrospective Study among Primary and Secondary Infertile Couples of Ranchi, Jharkhand - Amlan K. Ray, Raj N. Sahu, Subrato Maity, Samiran Bisai, Kaushik Bose, Shraboni Ray, M. Roychoudhury, Debleena Ray, J. Bhattacharya (page 70)

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Test your knowledge on ethno-archaeology with questions covering its history, purpose, and significance in the field. Explore the role of anthropology and recent trends in archaeological research. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how traditional methods are integrated with modern theories.

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