Deck 8: The Archaeology of Early Human Societies: Theories and Methods in Studying Prehistoric Archaeology

Question 1

If you had a bone that might be 1.3 myr old, what would you use to try to date it?

A) 14 carbon / AMS
B) K-Ar
C) TL
D) OSL

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Why is it important to understand cultural and natural transformation processes?

Answer 2

Understanding cultural and natural transformation processes is important for several reasons:

1. **Preservation of Heritage**: Cultural transformations often involve changes in language, traditions, beliefs, and social norms. Understanding these processes allows us to preserve cultural heritage, which is crucial for maintaining the diversity of human expression and identity.

2. **Sustainable Development**: Natural transformation processes, such as climate change, erosion, and biodiversity loss, have significant impacts on the environment. By understanding these processes, we can develop strategies for sustainable development that balance human needs with the health of our planet.

3. **Adaptation and Resilience**: Both cultural and natural transformations can pose challenges to communities. Understanding these changes enables societies to adapt and build resilience against potential negative impacts, such as natural disasters or economic shifts.

4. **Informed Policy Making**: Policymakers need to understand transformation processes to create informed and effective policies. This understanding helps in addressing issues like environmental degradation, cultural assimilation, and the impacts of globalization.

5. **Conflict Resolution**: Many conflicts arise from misunderstandings or clashes between different cultural values or from competition over natural resources. A deep understanding of the underlying transformation processes can aid in conflict resolution and promote peace.

6. **Education and Awareness**: Educating people about cultural and natural transformation processes fosters awareness and appreciation, which can lead to more responsible behavior towards the environment and more respectful interactions among diverse cultural groups.

7. **Historical Insight**: Understanding past transformation processes provides insights into how societies have evolved over time. This historical perspective can inform current practices and help predict future trends.

8. **Global Connectivity**: In an increasingly interconnected world, the effects of cultural and natural transformations are not confined to one region. Understanding these processes on a global scale is essential for international cooperation and global governance.

9. **Innovation and Creativity**: Cultural transformations often drive innovation and creativity by bringing together diverse perspectives and ideas. Understanding these processes can harness this potential for the benefit of society.

10. **Personal Growth**: On an individual level, understanding cultural and natural transformations can lead to personal growth, as it encourages empathy, critical thinking, and a broader worldview.

In summary, understanding cultural and natural transformation processes is crucial for the preservation of heritage, sustainable development, adaptation, informed policymaking, conflict resolution, education, historical insight, global connectivity, innovation, and personal growth. It enables individuals and societies to navigate the complexities of a changing world and to make decisions that will shape a better future for all.

Question 3

Your job is to locate archaeological sites without disturbing the surface of the ground. Discuss two ways you could do this.

Answer 3

One way to locate archaeological sites without disturbing the surface of the ground is through the use of remote sensing techniques. This can include methods such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. These tools can help archaeologists identify potential sites based on variations in vegetation, soil composition, and topography without the need for physical excavation.

Another method is through the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which allows archaeologists to scan beneath the surface of the ground to identify potential structures or artifacts without the need for excavation. GPR works by sending electromagnetic pulses into the ground and measuring the reflections to create a subsurface image. This can help archaeologists pinpoint potential sites and plan targeted excavations to minimize disturbance to the surrounding area.

Question 4

You are about to begin an archaeological excavation. What would you do in your research design to keep track of the stratigraphy and under what circumstances would you do a vertical or a horizontal excavation?

Question 5

How do archaeologists approach the reconstruction of past environments?

Question 6

Differentiate the goals of early archaeologists, processual archaeologists, and post processual archaeologists.

Question 7

Discuss three of the major ways artifacts can be preserved for long periods of time, citing what is preserved and why.

Question 8

Evaluate the techniques archaeologists use to find sites.

Question 9

Differentiate between relative and chronometric dating and give one good example of each, citing what can be dated, the range of possible dates, and its limitations.