Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the different subfields of anthropology?
What are the different subfields of anthropology?
- Cultural, Physical, Archaeological, Linguistic (correct)
- Biological, Historical, Political, Social
- Psychological, Economic, Political, Cultural
- Geographic, Biological, Medical, Environmental
What are the contributions of paleoanthropology and archaeology to the field of anthropology?
What are the contributions of paleoanthropology and archaeology to the field of anthropology?
- Paleoanthropology helps to understand human evolution, while archaeology provides insights into past civilizations. (correct)
- Paleoanthropology focuses solely on contemporary humans, while archaeology studies only artifacts.
- Both fields exclusively study cultural practices and traditions.
- Paleoanthropology and archaeology do not contribute to anthropology at all.
Why is primatology part of the study of the human species?
Why is primatology part of the study of the human species?
- It helps understand the behavior and social structures of primates, which can inform human evolution. (correct)
- It focuses solely on the anatomical differences between humans and primates.
- It is unrelated to human studies and focuses only on non-human primates.
- It studies the dietary habits of primates, which has no relevance to humans.
What is the principle of uniformitarianism and why is it significant to scholars studying human history?
What is the principle of uniformitarianism and why is it significant to scholars studying human history?
How did catastrophists explain the presence of the remains of marine organisms in the rocks on top of mountains many miles from and many feet above the ocean?
How did catastrophists explain the presence of the remains of marine organisms in the rocks on top of mountains many miles from and many feet above the ocean?
How did catastrophists, such as Edmund Halley, explain the cause of Noah's Flood?
How did catastrophists, such as Edmund Halley, explain the cause of Noah's Flood?
What are the three periods defined in the three-age system developed by Christian Jurgensen Thomsen?
What are the three periods defined in the three-age system developed by Christian Jurgensen Thomsen?
Is there evidence that catastrophic events, such as extraterrestrial bodies crashing into Earth, have greatly affected the history of our planet? What are some examples?
Is there evidence that catastrophic events, such as extraterrestrial bodies crashing into Earth, have greatly affected the history of our planet? What are some examples?
How did Darwin’s role in the voyage of the Beagle serve him in his later development of a theory of evolution?
How did Darwin’s role in the voyage of the Beagle serve him in his later development of a theory of evolution?
How did the work of Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus contribute to Darwin's theory of evolutionary change in the biological world?
How did the work of Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus contribute to Darwin's theory of evolutionary change in the biological world?
Describe Darwin's mechanism for evolutionary change: natural selection.
Describe Darwin's mechanism for evolutionary change: natural selection.
What climatic conditions characterized the Younger Dryas?
What climatic conditions characterized the Younger Dryas?
Which 19th century scholar is known for the phrase 'survival of the fittest'?
Which 19th century scholar is known for the phrase 'survival of the fittest'?
How is the archaeological study of the human past considered scientific?
How is the archaeological study of the human past considered scientific?
How are archaeological sites formed? In other words, how do they come into existence?
How are archaeological sites formed? In other words, how do they come into existence?
How are archaeological sites preserved for thousands or even millions of years? Give one example from your reading.
How are archaeological sites preserved for thousands or even millions of years? Give one example from your reading.
How do archaeologists find sites? What techniques do they use to detect evidence of past human occupation of an area?
How do archaeologists find sites? What techniques do they use to detect evidence of past human occupation of an area?
What kind of data constitute the archaeological record?
What kind of data constitute the archaeological record?
How do archaeologists recover data from sites?
How do archaeologists recover data from sites?
Why is spatial context so important to the archaeologist? Briefly describe three different spatial contexts and associations for the same artifact, showing how different contexts reveal different behaviors.
Why is spatial context so important to the archaeologist? Briefly describe three different spatial contexts and associations for the same artifact, showing how different contexts reveal different behaviors.
How can archaeologists determine where raw materials came from, how tools were made and used, and what these objects reveal about the social or religious practices of past cultures?
How can archaeologists determine where raw materials came from, how tools were made and used, and what these objects reveal about the social or religious practices of past cultures?
How do archaeologists analyze food remains and what insights do these remains provide us about the lives of past people?
How do archaeologists analyze food remains and what insights do these remains provide us about the lives of past people?
What can blood residue recovered from the edges of stone blades tell us about ancient hunting practices?
What can blood residue recovered from the edges of stone blades tell us about ancient hunting practices?
How can carbon isotope analysis help in our reconstruction of an ancient environment and an ancient human diet?
How can carbon isotope analysis help in our reconstruction of an ancient environment and an ancient human diet?
What contributions does pollen analysis make to archaeological analysis? Describe the process by which palynologists can reconstruct plant communities and the ancient environment.
What contributions does pollen analysis make to archaeological analysis? Describe the process by which palynologists can reconstruct plant communities and the ancient environment.
How does the analysis of ancient foraminifera shells inform us of worldwide temperature fluctuation and the extent of ancient glaciation?
How does the analysis of ancient foraminifera shells inform us of worldwide temperature fluctuation and the extent of ancient glaciation?
What kind of information can archaeologists and paleoanthropologists derive from human and pre-human skeletal remains?
What kind of information can archaeologists and paleoanthropologists derive from human and pre-human skeletal remains?
What are 3-5 main methods that archaeologists use to determine the age of sites?
What are 3-5 main methods that archaeologists use to determine the age of sites?
How has the master sequence been derived in dendrochronology, and why is this important in the application of dendrochronology in archaeology?
How has the master sequence been derived in dendrochronology, and why is this important in the application of dendrochronology in archaeology?
What are the ethical challenges faced by archaeologists and paleoanthropologists?
What are the ethical challenges faced by archaeologists and paleoanthropologists?
What are some responsibilities of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists to the modern descendants of the people who left behind the cultural and biological remains those scientists recover and analyze?
What are some responsibilities of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists to the modern descendants of the people who left behind the cultural and biological remains those scientists recover and analyze?
What does it mean to be an 'ethical' archaeologist? What are the responsibilities of an ethical archaeologist to contemporary people?
What does it mean to be an 'ethical' archaeologist? What are the responsibilities of an ethical archaeologist to contemporary people?
What does the study of the artistic urge in modern children reveal about the meaning of Upper Paleolithic art?
What does the study of the artistic urge in modern children reveal about the meaning of Upper Paleolithic art?
What are the major characteristics that differentiate Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age cultures from Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age cultures?
What are the major characteristics that differentiate Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age cultures from Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age cultures?
Provide examples from the archaeological record for the following Late Stone Age and Upper Paleolithic technologies or behaviors: 1. the reliance on new and improved stone tool technologies, 2. new hunting and weapons technologies, 3. a broadening of the subsistence quest, 4. branching out in raw materials, 5. new uses for plant materials, 6. the acquisition of raw materials from a great distance, 7. larger sites of population aggregation, 8. an abundance of non-utilitarian objects, 9. elaborate burials, and 10. symbolic expression through the production of art.
Provide examples from the archaeological record for the following Late Stone Age and Upper Paleolithic technologies or behaviors: 1. the reliance on new and improved stone tool technologies, 2. new hunting and weapons technologies, 3. a broadening of the subsistence quest, 4. branching out in raw materials, 5. new uses for plant materials, 6. the acquisition of raw materials from a great distance, 7. larger sites of population aggregation, 8. an abundance of non-utilitarian objects, 9. elaborate burials, and 10. symbolic expression through the production of art.
What evidence is there that the subsistence base of the Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age was broader than that of the Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age?
What evidence is there that the subsistence base of the Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age was broader than that of the Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age?
What new raw materials were primarily used by Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age peoples compared to Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age peoples?
What new raw materials were primarily used by Upper Paleolithic and Late Stone Age peoples compared to Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age peoples?
Which of the following describes Upper Paleolithic art? Where has it been found, what media were used, and how old is it?
Which of the following describes Upper Paleolithic art? Where has it been found, what media were used, and how old is it?
What is the significance of the Vogelherd Lion-man and other Upper Paleolithic artifacts depicting half-human, half-animal creatures?
What is the significance of the Vogelherd Lion-man and other Upper Paleolithic artifacts depicting half-human, half-animal creatures?
What significant artifacts have been found at the Hohle Fels Cave, and how do these reflect the development of the modern mind?
What significant artifacts have been found at the Hohle Fels Cave, and how do these reflect the development of the modern mind?
What is one way to test the hypothesis that some Upper Paleolithic cave paintings resulted from trance-induced hallucinations?
What is one way to test the hypothesis that some Upper Paleolithic cave paintings resulted from trance-induced hallucinations?
Some have labeled the so-called Venus figurines 'fertility symbols.' Defend or refute this assertion.
Some have labeled the so-called Venus figurines 'fertility symbols.' Defend or refute this assertion.
How can we explain the wanton destruction of art and architecture seen in both the modern and the ancient world?
How can we explain the wanton destruction of art and architecture seen in both the modern and the ancient world?
What is the oldest evidence for the occupation of Sahul?
What is the oldest evidence for the occupation of Sahul?
What evidence is there that Australia was occupied by human beings 60,000 years ago?
What evidence is there that Australia was occupied by human beings 60,000 years ago?
What does the preponderance of evidence indicate about the age of the Lake Mungo III skeleton?
What does the preponderance of evidence indicate about the age of the Lake Mungo III skeleton?
After Europeans discovered that the lands Columbus had encountered represented a 'New World', how did they explain the presence of Native Americans?
After Europeans discovered that the lands Columbus had encountered represented a 'New World', how did they explain the presence of Native Americans?
What was Beringia, when was it exposed, how big was it, and would it have been a hospitable place?
What was Beringia, when was it exposed, how big was it, and would it have been a hospitable place?
What evidence is there for an early movement of people into the New World through the interior of Beringia?
What evidence is there for an early movement of people into the New World through the interior of Beringia?
What is the significance of the Paisley Five Mile Point Cave site in terms of food and location?
What is the significance of the Paisley Five Mile Point Cave site in terms of food and location?
What was 'the Clovis advantage'?
What was 'the Clovis advantage'?
What is the significance of Kennewick Man?
What is the significance of Kennewick Man?
What does the analysis of the DNA of Sunrise child-girl and Dawn twilight child-girl tell us about the peopling of the Americas?
What does the analysis of the DNA of Sunrise child-girl and Dawn twilight child-girl tell us about the peopling of the Americas?
Did overhunting by Paleoindians cause the extinction of large game animals in North America at the end of the Pleistocene?
Did overhunting by Paleoindians cause the extinction of large game animals in North America at the end of the Pleistocene?
Is there a connection between the Solutrean and Clovis stone tool traditions?
Is there a connection between the Solutrean and Clovis stone tool traditions?
Support or refute the following statement: The Holocene marks the end of glaciation.
Support or refute the following statement: The Holocene marks the end of glaciation.
When and where in the world did the shift to food production occur?
When and where in the world did the shift to food production occur?
What subsistence and cultural changes occurred during the Early Holocene?
What subsistence and cultural changes occurred during the Early Holocene?
How did the people of North America respond to the massive extinction of big game animals upon which they had depended for their subsistence?
How did the people of North America respond to the massive extinction of big game animals upon which they had depended for their subsistence?
Describe the post-Pleistocene cultures of South America, focusing on the significance of camelid exploitation and coastal resources.
Describe the post-Pleistocene cultures of South America, focusing on the significance of camelid exploitation and coastal resources.
How does archaeologist David Phillipson characterize the post-Pleistocene of Africa in terms of cultural development?
How does archaeologist David Phillipson characterize the post-Pleistocene of Africa in terms of cultural development?
The Mesolithic has been called a 'prelude.' What does this mean?
The Mesolithic has been called a 'prelude.' What does this mean?
What commonalities can be seen in the archaeological record of culture change worldwide related to climate changes at the end of the Pleistocene?
What commonalities can be seen in the archaeological record of culture change worldwide related to climate changes at the end of the Pleistocene?
On what basis do researchers distinguish domesticated from wild plants of the same species?
On what basis do researchers distinguish domesticated from wild plants of the same species?
How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?
How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?
Describe the Natufian. What makes the Natufian different from the other Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene groups in the Near East?
Describe the Natufian. What makes the Natufian different from the other Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene groups in the Near East?
What is the archaeological evidence for the earliest food-producing societies of the Middle East?
What is the archaeological evidence for the earliest food-producing societies of the Middle East?
What crops that currently help feed the world’s people were domesticated by the native people of the New World?
What crops that currently help feed the world’s people were domesticated by the native people of the New World?
What were some of the important crops in Africa's food-producing revolution?
What were some of the important crops in Africa's food-producing revolution?
Describe the archaeological and genetic evidence for the breeding and us of macaws in North America.
Describe the archaeological and genetic evidence for the breeding and us of macaws in North America.
What are some of the earliest crops that contributed to subsistence in the highlands of South America?
What are some of the earliest crops that contributed to subsistence in the highlands of South America?
What animals were domesticated in the New World (North, Central and South America)?
What animals were domesticated in the New World (North, Central and South America)?
What was the process by which maize was domesticated?
What was the process by which maize was domesticated?
What was the purpose of using the ancient megalithic monument of Stonehenge?
What was the purpose of using the ancient megalithic monument of Stonehenge?
Where did the people who were buried at Stonehenge come from and how do we know?
Where did the people who were buried at Stonehenge come from and how do we know?
What is meant by the term 'complex society'?
What is meant by the term 'complex society'?
What does Göbekli Tepe imply about the development of complexity in human societies?
What does Göbekli Tepe imply about the development of complexity in human societies?
What do sites like Poverty Point imply about the development of complexity in ancient societies?
What do sites like Poverty Point imply about the development of complexity in ancient societies?
Considering the fact that most people work harder and relinquish at least some control over their own lives in complex societies, why might such societies have developed at all?
Considering the fact that most people work harder and relinquish at least some control over their own lives in complex societies, why might such societies have developed at all?
What sorts of practical concerns or challenges faced by ancient people may have led to the development of complex societies? (Select all that apply)
What sorts of practical concerns or challenges faced by ancient people may have led to the development of complex societies? (Select all that apply)
Why and how would complex societies devote so much of their energies to the production of great monuments with no practical purpose?
Why and how would complex societies devote so much of their energies to the production of great monuments with no practical purpose?
What is the significance of Çatalhöyük?
What is the significance of Çatalhöyük?
What are the roots of complexity in Mesopotamia?
What are the roots of complexity in Mesopotamia?
What do the monumental projects of the Olmec imply about their economic and political structure?
What do the monumental projects of the Olmec imply about their economic and political structure?
Describe the environment of the Norte Chico region of Peru. Is this the area that South America's earliest complex societies would have been expected? Why or why not?
Describe the environment of the Norte Chico region of Peru. Is this the area that South America's earliest complex societies would have been expected? Why or why not?
In what ways is the site of Caral important in addressing questions about the evolution of complex societies in the New World?
In what ways is the site of Caral important in addressing questions about the evolution of complex societies in the New World?
Describe the monumental center of ChavÃn de Huantar and its characteristics. What does this project imply about ChavÃn's religious or political structure?
Describe the monumental center of ChavÃn de Huantar and its characteristics. What does this project imply about ChavÃn's religious or political structure?
Was economic, social, and political complexity an inevitable result of the food-producing revolution? Explain.
Was economic, social, and political complexity an inevitable result of the food-producing revolution? Explain.
Why is it more likely for food producers rather than hunter/gatherers to develop economic, social, and political complexity?
Why is it more likely for food producers rather than hunter/gatherers to develop economic, social, and political complexity?
