Unit_1_Canvas_223_Intro_Archy.pptx

Introduction to Archaeology ASB 223 / Unit 1 / Dr. Dean H. Wheeler / Glendale Community College By the end of the week you should be able to: Define archaeology and explain what archaeologists mean by past lifeways. Define prehistory. Explain how archaeologists learn about past lifeways, and the cha...

Introduction to Archaeology ASB 223 / Unit 1 / Dr. Dean H. Wheeler / Glendale Community College By the end of the week you should be able to: Define archaeology and explain what archaeologists mean by past lifeways. Define prehistory. Explain how archaeologists learn about past lifeways, and the challenges inherent to this endeavor. Define and give examples for the different components of the archaeological record. Describe different methods of archaeological fieldwork. Describe and give examples for the four general aspects of society and behavior. What is archaeology? Archaeology – The study of the human past. past lifeways. – Combines the themes of time & change. – Aim is to learn about Time – as far back as 6-7 million years ago! Change – in human biology and behavior over time. Prehistory – In general, the human past. – Specifically, the time before the appearance of written records. What is archaeology? How do archaeologists learn about the past lifeways of human groups? The Archaeological Record – The static material remains of past human lifeways. – Consists of sites, artifacts, features, ecofacts, bones & teeth, etc. – Is incomplete! – Many archaeological sites are stratified. Archaeological Fieldwork – Survey – Excavation Archaeological Sites Artifacts Stone Points Anasazi Fiber Basket Bone Awls Maya Pottery Features Dwelling Wall Posthol es Example of House that results in Postholes More Examples of Features Ecofacts The Grand Canyon Straigraphy & The Law of Superposition in Geology Stratified Sites in Archaeology Radiocarbon (C14) Dating of Organic Materials Survey Survey Tools/Equipment used during Survey and Excavation Excavation Aspects of Society & Behavior Technology Economy Organization Ideology Aspects of Society & Behavior Technology – The set of tools, techniques, and knowledge that allow people to convert natural resources into tools, food, clothing, shelter, and other products and equipment they need or want. – Fragments of the tools that people used in the past are the most common archaeological remains. E.g. stone tools, ceramic pottery, metal tools. Aspects of Society & Behavior Economy – Involves how people obtain foods, materials, and goods to sustain their lives. – Subsistence is an important part of any economy. – Subsistence pattern The plants and animals that prehistoric people ate, the activities required to obtain those foods, and the procurement and preparation techniques and implements used to turn those plants and animals into food. E.g. hunting and gathering, agriculture Aspects of Society & Behavior Organization – The arrangements between individuals and groups in human society that structure relationships and activities. – Concerns relations between women & men and among different segments of society, such as families, age groups, labor units, or ethnic groups. – Kinship & marriage systems – Egalitarian, Ranked & Class Societies Example of a society structured by Class distinctions Aspects of Society & Behavior Ideology – A conceptual framework by which people structure their ideas about the order of the universe, their place in that universe, and their relationships among themselves and with objects and other forms of life around them. – Often expressed in art & architecture – E.g. Old World: cave paintings in western Europe, Stonehenge in Great Britain, the pyramids and art of ancient Egypt. – E.g. New World: Teotihuacan and astronomical alignments, Mayan murals and hieroglyphs, Hohokam petroglyphs. Ideology Example