ANTH 1003 EXAM 2 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE

Neanderthal Misconceptions

Historically portrayed as brutish and hulking; modern depictions show them similar to modern humans.

Cranial Capacity

Neanderthals had cranial capacity that is the same or larger than modern humans.

Hyoid Bone

Similar to humans, allowing for tongue movement necessary for speech.

Levallois Technique

A core is shaped to produce multiple stone tools from one piece of material. allows for more efficient use of resources and a more consistent shape of the tools → Reflects advanced planning and craftsmanship in prehistoric tool-making.

Diet

Neanderthals ate meat and also consumed plants, as shown by dental calculus.

Bitumen

A substance used by Neanderthals for hafting tools.

Cultural Variation

Differences in tool shapes and functions due to culture, site, or raw material availability.

Mammoth Bone Structures

Neanderthals constructed structures from mammoth bones in areas like Moldova and Ukraine.

Symbolic Behavior

Potentially intentional arrangements of tools and site usage by Neanderthals.

Biological Differences

Neanderthals were shorter and stockier with a more robust musculature than modern humans.

Rock Art

Carvings or paintings on natural rock surfaces, often with ritualistic or symbolic purposes.

Sarsen Stone

Large stones used in the construction of Stonehenge, sourced locally.

Bluestone

Smaller stones at Stonehenge that were transported from distant locations, possibly Wales.

Mortise and Tenon Joint

a projection (tenon) on one piece fits into a corresponding hole (mortise) in another piece, providing strength and stability to structures, especially in ancient architecture and furniture making.

Experimental Archaeology

The practice of reconstructing ancient techniques to test their feasibility and function.

Hill Forts

Elevated defensive sites that often used sling stones for protection.

Ritual

Ceremonial or symbolic practices within a culture.

Symbolism

The use of objects or actions to represent ideas or beliefs.

Colonial Bias

Misrepresentation or misinterpretation of indigenous practices by colonizers.

Technological vs. Cultural Factors

The distinction between practical uses of artifacts and their role in conveying status, identity, or aesthetic preferences.

Neanderthals

Early humans with complex behaviors and limited evidence of art or ritual.

Mousterian toolkit

A specific type of stone tools associated with Neanderthals.

Intentional burials

Evidence showing Neanderthals buried their dead, though ritual objects were rare.

Cave art

Art found on cave walls, using pigments like charcoal and ochre.

Portable art

Small and transportable figurines of animals or humans created during the Paleolithic.

Stratigraphic context

Analysis of layered soil to determine the age and sequence of artifacts.

Radiocarbon dating

A method to date organic remains, such as charcoal or pigments, based on their radioactive decay.

Symbolism in Paleolithic Art

Art that reflects cognitive and cultural development, involving themes of hunting, fertility, or storytelling.

Experimental archaeology

Replication experiments that provide insight into early artistic methods and intentions. recreating ancient techniques and practices to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior, including artistic methods.

Altamira

A site in Spain known for its ceiling paintings of bison that demonstrate 3D effects.

Pech Merle

A cave in France with notable artworks, including horses depicted in unique arrangements.

Coa Valley

An open-air site in Portugal known for its engravings from the Paleolithic period.

Handprints in Art

Symbolic representations found in caves, suggesting community involvement or ritual.

Cognitive abilities of Paleolithic humans

lack advanced symbolic thinking or artistic expressions, but evidence of cave drawings and paintings -L> cognitive abilities in arts and problem solving

Preservation of art

Caves preserve paintings better than open-air sites, which are more vulnerable to damage.

Neanderthals

Early humans with complex behaviors and limited evidence of art or ritual.

Mousterian toolkit

A specific type of stone tools associated with Neanderthals.

Intentional burials

Evidence showing Neanderthals buried their dead, though ritual objects were rare.

Cave art

Art found on cave walls, using pigments like charcoal and ochre.

Portable art

Small and transportable figurines of animals or humans created during the Paleolithic.

Stratigraphic context

Analysis of layered soil to determine the age and sequence of artifacts.

Radiocarbon dating

A method to date organic remains, such as charcoal or pigments, based on their radioactive decay.

Symbolism in Paleolithic Art

Art that reflects cognitive and cultural development, involving themes of hunting, fertility, or storytelling.

Experimental archaeology

Replication experiments that provide insight into early artistic methods and intentions.

Altamira

A site in Spain known for its ceiling paintings of bison that demonstrate 3D effects.

Pech Merle

A cave in France with notable artworks, including horses depicted in unique arrangements.

Coa Valley

An open-air site in Portugal known for its engravings from the Paleolithic period.

Handprints in Art

Symbolic representations found in caves, suggesting community involvement or ritual.

Cognitive abilities of Paleolithic humans

Limited symbolic thinking and rare artistic expressions, yet evidence of creativity exists.

Preservation of art

Caves preserve paintings better than open-air sites, which are more vulnerable to damage.

Rock Art

Carvings or paintings on natural rock surfaces, often with ritualistic or symbolic purposes.

Sarsen Stone

Large stones used in the construction of Stonehenge, sourced locally.

Bluestone

Smaller stones at Stonehenge that were transported from distant locations, possibly Wales.

Mortise and Tenon Joint

A technique for connecting stones securely, demonstrating advanced engineering.

Experimental Archaeology

The practice of reconstructing ancient techniques to test their feasibility and function.

Hill Forts

Elevated defensive sites that often used sling stones for protection.

Ritual

Ceremonial or symbolic practices within a culture.

Symbolism

The use of objects or actions to represent ideas or beliefs.

Colonial Bias

Misrepresentation or misinterpretation of indigenous practices by colonizers.

Technological vs. Cultural Factors

The distinction between practical uses of artifacts and their role in conveying status, identity, or aesthetic preferences.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

A U.S. law aimed at protecting sites likely to yield archaeological information.

Section 106

A requirement for a mitigation plan if a development impacts an archaeological site.

Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA)

Legislation that prevents stealing or damaging archaeological resources on federal or Indian lands, emphasis on preserving cultural heritage

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

A law that prohibits unauthorized excavation or sale of Native American remains and artifacts.

State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

An office responsible for overseeing heritage preservation laws in each state.

Looting

Unauthorized excavation or theft of archaeological artifacts.

UNESCO Convention (1970)

An international treaty that defines cultural property and prohibits illegal export/import.

Artifact Context

The significance of artifacts being linked to the archaeological context they are found in.

Mitigation Strategies

Actions taken to avoid destruction of archaeological resources, such as full excavation or adjusting development plans.

Ethical Considerations in Archaeology

The emphasis on preservation, context, and legal compliance in archaeological practices.

Repatriation

Returning stolen or illegally acquired artifacts to the country of origin.

Dora Affair

Incident involving James Mellaart, who published unverifiable artifacts from a Turkish site; raised questions about his actions.

Society for American Archaeology (SAA)

Established a formal ethics code in 1996 for archaeology.

Context in Archaeology

Refers to the cultural, chronological, and functional understanding that enriches artifacts; context is critical.

Black Market

Illegal sales, including online platforms like eBay, complicating the policing of artifacts.

Ethical Standards

Guidelines established to ensure responsible behavior in archaeology; includes consequences for unethical actions.

Community Engagement

Involves hiring local workers and supporting local projects to enhance both archaeological efforts and local economies.

Key Takeaways

Highlights the recent formalization of ethical archaeology, the necessity of repatriation, public education, and community collaboration.

Nazi Archaeology

Used artifacts to promote German historical legitimacy; a manipulation of archaeology for political gain.

Mound Builder Myth

Misrepresentation of Native American history used to justify displacement by European settlers.

Core Tools

Tools made from the core of a rock.

Flake Tools

Tools made from chipped-off flakes of stone.

Paleolithic Period

The Old Stone Age, divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper periods.

Lower Paleolithic

A period ranging from 3.5 million to 300,000 years ago.

Middle Paleolithic

A period ranging from 300,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Upper Paleolithic

A period ranging from 50,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Lomekwi, Kenya

An archaeological site dating back to approximately 3.3 million years ago, significant for stone tools

Dikika, Ethiopia

An archaeological site dating back to approximately 3.4 million years ago.

Australopithecines

early hominids that existed before the widespread use of tools. often notable for their bipedalism and do not have a clear link to the earliest stone tools, which were primarily associated with later hominids

Early Homo species

The likely creators of the earliest tools.

Cut-marked bones

Bones that show evidence of being processed with tools.

Gnaw marks

Marks left by non-human animals, indicating scavenging behavior.

Lower Paleolithic

The earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic period characterized by the development and use of stone tools.

Fire Use in Early Hominids

Early hominids could utilize natural fire before mastering its production through methods like friction or striking stones.

Control vs. Creation

Control refers to managing and transporting fire, while creation involves producing fire using techniques like friction.

Methods of Fire Production

Techniques used to produce fire, including friction and sparks from stones like flint and iron pyrite.

Neanderthals

An early human species known for consistent fire use, dating back to around 1 million years ago.

Anatomically Modern Humans

Humans that emerged around 400,000 to 100,000 years ago, known for their various uses and control of fire.

Benefits of Fire

Includes providing light, warmth, protection, cooking food, and supporting social interaction.

Archaeological Evidence

Includes stone tools, burned materials, and occasional food remains found at Lower Paleolithic sites.