Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction to Archaeology
What is Archaeology?
The explanation of
past human behavior
through the study of
physical remains
1
Why study the past?
To understand the developmental histories
of specific societies
2
Why study the past?
By understanding the
past, we can better
understand the
present and the
future…
3
How will we proceed?
Part 2: Archaeological methods and practices
4
Andrew Kindon, Ph.D.
Office: LA/SS 1A
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 12:30-2:00
E-mail: andrew_kindon@westvalley.edu
Phone: 408-741-2554
Website: http://wvmccd.angellearning.com
Required Textbook:
The Past in Perspective, 4th edition, by Kenneth L.
Feder, 2007
Recommended Textbook:
Lessons from the Past, edited by Kenneth L. Feder,
1999
All students are responsible for obtaining Scantron forms and Blue Books
from the bookstore for the quizzes & exams.
5
Extra Credit:
Any recent (less than one week old) news story relevant
to Archaeology
Must be dated and from a legitimate source
Must be first to give it to me
May only submit one per week
May only submit five total during the semester
Anthropology 2:
Introduction to Archaeology
Week 1:
What is Archaeology?
6
The History of Archaeology:
The Age of the Earth
James Ussher
Creationism
7
The History of Archaeology:
The Age of the Earth
Charles Lyell &
“Principles of Geology”
(1830)
Unilineal Cultural
Evolution
8
The History of Archaeology:
The Antiquity of Humans
Unilineal Cultural
Evolution
Savagery
Barbarism
Civilization
9
The Science of Archaeology
Archaeologists use systematic methods to gather
empirical evidence (patterns in material remains)
10
The Science of Archaeology
Archaeology differs from laboratory sciences
Archaeological record is not a controlled environment
The evidence is often incomplete and open to different
interpretations
Interpretations are often open to the archaeologist’s
individual viewpoints and biases
Archaeological Methods:
How do archaeologists study the past?
Empirical evidence of past human behavior:
Sites
Features
Structures
Artifacts
Ecofacts
11