Deck 8: Archaeological Classification and Ancient Technologies

Question 1

Reassembling fragmented pots, hardening bones with chemicals, and stabilizing fragile objects are part of what archaeologists call

A) restoration.
B) conservation.
C) preservation.
D) mediation.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is a system for classifying materials, objects, and phenomena used in many sciences, including archaeology?

A) systematics
B) typological studies
C) taphonomy
D) taxonomy

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Excavations in Liang Bua Cave yielded a remarkable series of diminutive human skeletons dating to before 38,000 and 13,000 years ago. These skeletons belong to the species

A) Homo erectus.
B) Homo habilis.
C) Australopithecus africanus.
D) Homo floresiensis.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Computers and statistical approaches to artifact classification have added a fourth objective to the archaeological taxonomies in use today, which is

A) describing types.
B) organizing data into manageable units.
C) studying assemblage variability in the archaeological record.
D) identifying relationships between types.

Question 5

Which is a system of classification searches for patterns among either objects or the variables that define these objects?

A) taxonomy
B) seriation
C) typology
D) phrenology

Question 6

Which is a classification that permits comparison that allows archaeologists to align an assemblage with other assemblages in time and space?

A) taxonomy
B) seriation
C) typology
D) phrenology

Question 7

In archaeology, a grouping of artifacts created for comparison with other groups is called a

A) type.
B) seriation.
C) typology.
D) assemblage.

Question 8

Who produced Oldowan tools?

A) Homo erectus
B) Homo habilis
C) Australopithecus africanus
D) Homo floresiensis

Question 9

Archaeologists tend to use four "types of types." Which of the following is NOT one of them?

A) descriptive
B) chronological
C) functional
D) religious

Question 10

The physical characteristics used to distinguish one commonplace artifact from another are

A) attributes.
B) elements.
C) traits.
D) features.

Question 11

Which types of artifacts are based solely on the form of the artifact, the most elementary physical or external properties?

A) chronological
B) descriptive
C) functional
D) descriptive

Question 12

Which types of artifacts are based on cultural use or role rather than on outward form or chronological position?

A) chronological
B) descriptive
C) functional
D) descriptive

Question 13

American archaeologists have generally preferred to make considerable use of data on artifacts and other culture traits known to have been used by living societies in North America. This perspective is considered to be more

A) historical.
B) cultural.
C) ahistorical.
D) deciduous.

Question 14

If archaeologists want to understand the dynamics of cultural systems . . . in the past, they need to study and interpret living conditions in what part of human existence?

A) chronologic times
B) prehistoric times
C) historic times
D) modern times

Question 15

A physically bounded portion of a site that contains a distinct assemblage is a(n)

A) association.
B) unit.
C) component.
D) horizon.

Question 16

A cultural unit represented by like components on different sites or at different levels of the same site is a(n)

A) assemblage.
B) unit.
C) phase.
D) horizon.

Question 17

Lasting artifact types, assemblages of tools, architectural styles, economic practices, or art styles that last much longer than one phase or even the duration of a horizon are called

A) assemblages.
B) units.
C) phases.
D) traditions.

Question 18

In the manufacture of stone tools, the stone is acquired and then shaped by removing flakes until the desired form is achieved. This technology is described as

A) blade.
B) reductive.
C) flake.
D) conchoidal.

Question 19

When archaeologists compared trace element clusters from a clay jar to a large database of samples from Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean, the database pointed to the southern hill country of Israel and Transjordan as the source of the vessels, an area where vineyards were well established in 3100 B.C. The wine probably traveled the Nile across an ancient trade route that linked southern Israel with Egypt via the Sinai Desert. The analysis that enabled archaeologists to trace this detailed route is

A) subtractive.
B) neutron activation.
C) lithic.
D) petrological.

Question 20

Much of the basketry and textiles that survive from prehistoric times has been preserved because of

A) dry conditions.
B) greater levels of sophistication.
C) specific raw materials.
D) manufacturing techniques.

Question 21

Discuss the skills necessary for textile production. Explain each skill, and explain how the skills interrelate.

Question 22

Explain how bone and wood might have been used as tools by early humans. Why is there so little evidence for this usage?

Question 23

Referring to the concept of "Units of Ordering," describe each unit, how it is used in archaeology, and how the units relate to each other.

Question 24

Let's say you have just completed excavation and now have to unpack the finds, records, photos, etc. Explain the steps you go through to properly analyze all of your materials.

Question 25

Discuss types in archaeology. Name some examples of each type.