Question 1

What types of environmental conditions lead to exceptional preservation of ancient remains and why? Include specific examples of different types of preservation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What types of environmental conditions lead to...

Question 2

Such metals as gold,silver,and lead corrode and do not survive well in the archaeological record.

Accepted Answer

Gold and silver do not corrode easily and survive well in the archaeological record, while lead does corrode but can also be found in archaeological contexts due to its relatively slow rate of corrosion compared to metals like iron.

Question 3

Natural formation processes include such activities as plowing,building structures,or making tools.

Accepted Answer

Natural formation processes refer to processes that occur without human intervention or activity. Plowing, building structures, and making tools involve human activity and therefore do not fall under the category of natural formation processes.

Question 4

Fired clay,such as pottery or baked mud-brick,is virtually indestructible if well fired.

Accepted Answer

Fired clay, such as pottery or baked mud-brick, is known for its durability and resistance to damage or decay over time, making it virtually indestructible if well fired. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 5

The long-term study of an earthwork constructed at Overton Down,England,as experimental archaeology indicates that

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Survival of organic materials is typically limited to cases of extreme moisture,such as very arid or waterlogged conditions.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Organic materials are more likely to survive in extreme moisture conditions, such as arid or waterlogged environments, compared to other conditions. In dry conditions, organic materials may degrade due to exposure to sunlight and air. In wet conditions, organic materials may be preserved by being buried in sediment, which can protect them from decomposition.

Question 7

What is context and why is it so important to archaeologists?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Stone tools typically survive very poorly in the archaeological record,and stone artifacts rarely date from before 5000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

Stone tools have been found in the archaeological record dating back to the Paleolithic era, which began more than 2 million years ago. However, the likelihood of stone tools surviving in the archaeological record decreases over time due to erosion, burial, and other factors. While it is true that not many stone artifacts have survived from before 5000 years ago, it is not accurate to say that they rarely date back that far.

Question 9

Sea water is potentially very destructive,but artifacts recovered from under the sea that are coated with a thick hard casing of metallic salts can often be preserved through the use of electrolysis.

Accepted Answer

Electrolysis can remove the metallic salts coating from artifacts recovered from under the sea, which can help preserve them.

Question 10

Unfortunately no organic remains,such as food,wreaths or funerary bouquets,survived in the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Accepted Answer

Organic remains, including food, wreaths, and funerary bouquets, were indeed found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, providing insight into ancient Egyptian burial practices and the types of materials deemed important for the afterlife.

Question 11

Protected from outside climatic effects,caves may act as natural "conservatories," creating local climates that can promote the preservation of organic remains.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true that caves can act as natural "conservatories," creating local climates that can promote the preservation of organic remains by protecting them from outside climatic effects.

Question 12

The discovery of "Ötzi" or the Iceman in 1991 in an alpine glacier revealed to the world the oldest fully preserved human body.What made this such a remarkable find to archaeologists? What specifically did we learn about this man;how he lived,why he died,his health,and his possessions?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Dry environments prevent decay through the shortage of water,which allows micro-organisms to survive and flourish,thus preserving organic remains.

Accepted Answer

Dry environments prevent decay because the shortage of water inhibits the survival and activity of micro-organisms, thus preserving organic remains.

Question 14

Provenience is the exact position of a find within the matrix.

Accepted Answer

Provenience refers to the exact location or position of a find within its archaeological context or matrix.

Quiz 2: The Variety of the Evidence