EXAM 2 ANTHRO 100

What is ethnography?

 The in-depth study and detailed description of a single culture based on fieldwork.

What is ethnology?

The comparative study of cultures to identify patterns and relationships.

 How do ethnography and ethnology differ?

Ethnography focuses on one culture; ethnology compares multiple cultures.

What is participant observation?

A research method where anthropologists live among people and participate in their daily life.

 What is culture shock?

Feelings of confusion or discomfort when encountering a different culture.

What is the role of fieldwork in anthropology?

It provides firsthand data and insights into human behavior and culture.

What is the emic perspective?

The insider’s view (how people within the culture understand things).

What is the etic perspective?

The outsider’s analytical view.

 What ethical challenges do anthropologists face?

 Informed consent, avoiding harm, privacy, representation, and bias.

What is an artifact?

Portable objects made or modified by humans.

What is a feature?

Non-portable human-made remains (e.g., hearths, walls).

What is an ecofact?

Natural remains with cultural significance (e.g., bones, seeds).

What is provenance?

The exact location where an artifact was found.

What is a matrix?

The surrounding material (soil/sediment) in which artifacts are found.

What is an assemblage?

A group of artifacts found together.

What is association?

The relationship between artifacts and other items found together.

What is an archaeological culture?

A set of similar artifacts across a region suggesting a shared culture.

What types of surveys do archaeologists use?

Pedestrian (walking), aerial, geophysical (e.g., ground-penetrating radar).

What indicates social complexity?

Social hierarchy, specialization, cities, monuments, trade.

What is ethnoarchaeology?

Studying living cultures to interpret archaeological remains.

What is taphonomy?

Study of how remains decay and become fossilized.

What is stratigraphy?

Study of layers of soil deposits over time.

What is relative dating?

Dating based on comparison (older vs. younger).

What is absolute dating?

Provides a specific date or range.

What is carbon dating?

Dating organic material using radioactive carbon (C-14).

What are limits of carbon dating?

Only works on organic material and up to ~50,000 years.

What is domestication?

Human-controlled breeding of plants/animals.

What is sedentism?

 Living in one place permanently.

What is niche construction?

Humans altering environments to suit their needs.

Why is the Natufian culture significant?

Early sedentary society before full agriculture (~12,500–9,500 BCE).

Where did earliest domestication occur?

The Fertile Crescent (~10,000 years ago).

What were major independent centers of domestication?

Fertile Crescent, China, Mesoamerica, Andes, Africa.

What was the first domesticated animal?

The dog.

What is Çatalhöyük?

 A large early farming settlement in modern Turkey (~7500–5700 BCE).

How did domesticated animals affect disease?

Increased exposure led to stronger immunity but also new diseases.

Where were potatoes domesticated?

Andes Mountains (South America).

Where were horses domesticated?

Central Asia (Eurasian Steppe).

What is a band?

Small, egalitarian group (hunter-gatherers).

What is a tribe?

Larger group with some leadership, usually horticultural/pastoral.

What is a chiefdom?

Hierarchical society led by a chief.

 What is a state?

Complex society with government, laws, and bureaucracy.

How do these differ in population size?

Bands (smallest) → Tribes → Chiefdoms → States (largest).

What is social stratification?

Unequal distribution of wealth and power.

What is occupational specialization?

People performing specific jobs.

When and where did the first states emerge?

Around 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, China.

What is NAGPRA?

A U.S. law requiring return of Native American remains/artifacts.

Why is NAGPRA significant?

Protects Indigenous rights and cultural heritage.

Who is Kennewick Man (Ancient One)?

 Ancient human remains in the U.S. linked to Native Americans; central to repatriation debates. Discovered in 1996 and lived about 8500-9000 years ago.