Archaeology exam 2

Australopithecus

a genus of hominins that lived in Africa between 4 and 2 million years ago, known for bipedal locomotion and some of the earliest known ancestral relations to humans.

Oldewan Tool Tradition

an early stone tool technology associated with the first hominins, characterized by simple pebble tools and dating back to approximately 2.6 million years ago.

Acheulean Tool Tradition

an advanced stone tool technology that developed after the Oldowan, characterized by bifacial hand axes and dating from about 1.76 million years ago.

Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal interactions

refers to both cultures coexisting and competing for resources in prehistoric Europe, with evidence suggesting they may have interbred.

Homo Erectus

a hominin species that lived approximately 1.9 million to 110,000 years ago, known for its use of fire and more sophisticated tools, as well as being a key ancestor to later human species.

Neanderthals

a species of archaic humans that lived in Europe and parts of Asia, known for their robust build and adaptation to cold climates. They coexisted with early Homo sapiens and are believed to have interbred with them.

Shanidar Cave

an archaeological site in Iraq known for its significant Neanderthal remains and evidence of funerary practices, showcasing the complexity of Neanderthal behavior and social structure.

Denisovans

a subspecies of archaic humans identified primarily through genetic evidence, known to have lived in Asia around the same time as Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. They are recognized for their unique genetic contributions to modern human populations.

Paleoltihic

the earliest period of human history, characterized by the use of stone tools and the development of hunter-gatherer societies.

Blombos Cave

an archaeological site in South Africa famous for its well-preserved Middle Stone Age artifacts, including symbolic engravings and early examples of human creativity.

Quefzeh Burials

an archaeological site in Israel known for its early burial practices, providing insights into Neolithic funerary customs and cultural beliefs.

Auriginacian

a cultural period of the Upper Paleolithic, known for its distinctive stone tools and art, primarily associated with early modern humans in Europe.

Shell Exchange- the first exchange networks?

a system where shells were used as a form of currency or trade among prehistoric peoples, indicating the early development of exchange networks in trade.

Venus Figurines

small prehistoric statuettes featuring female forms, often associated with fertility and femininity, found across Europe during the Upper Paleolithic.

Gravattan

a cultural phase of the Upper Paleolithic characterized by advanced stone tool technology, often linked to the hunting and adaptation strategies of early humans.

Cave Art and Ivory Sculpture

refers to prehistoric artistic expressions found in caves, often depicting animals, human figures, and hunting scenes, as well as the use of ivory in crafting small sculptures during prehistoric times.

Chauvet and Cave

Art: a significant archaeological site in France that features some of the oldest known cave paintings, dating back to around 30,000 to 32,000 years ago, showcasing remarkable depictions of animals and abstract symbols.

Magdalenian

a cultural period of the Upper Paleolithic known for its advanced tool technology, distinctive art, and prominence in the hunting practices of Europe.

Solutrean

a cultural period during the Upper Paleolithic, characterized by unique flint tool technology, particularly leaf-shaped blades, and art, often associated with the hunting of large game.

Ice Free Corridor

A prehistoric migration route, believed to have existed during the last Ice Age, that allowed animals and humans to travel between North America and Eurasia.

Beringia (or the Bering Land Bridge)

a land connection between Asia and North America that existed during periods of low sea levels, facilitating the migration of humans and animals.

The Pacific Route into the New World

a coastal migration pathway that early humans likely used to travel from Asia to the Americas via a route along the Pacific Ocean, utilizing boats and following marine resources.

Pre-Clovis

Referring to the period before the Clovis culture, characterized by the presence of early human artifacts in North America, suggesting that humans inhabited the continent earlier than previously believed.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter

an archaeological site in Pennsylvania that provides evidence of some of the earliest human activity in North America, dating back to as early as 16,000 years ago.

Monte Verde

an archaeological site in Chile that contains evidence of human habitation dating back to at least 14,500 years ago, predating the Clovis culture and challenging traditional theories of early human migration to the Americas.

Fluted Points (Clovis Points)

stone tools characterized by a distinctive channel or groove running along their length, used by the Clovis culture for hunting and other tasks.

Projectile Point Manufacturing Technologies

the techniques and methods used to create projectile points, including flaking, shaping, and tool-making processes employed by ancient cultures.

Folsom

a type of projectile point associated with the Folsom culture, characterized by a distinctive fluted design and used for hunting large game like bison during the Late Paleoindian period.

Blackwater Draw (Clovis)

an archaeological site in New Mexico that is significant for its well-preserved remains of Clovis culture artifacts, including stone tools and mammoth remains, providing insight into early human activity in North America.

Pleistocene Overkill theory

The hypothesis that the extinction of many large animal species during the Pleistocene epoch was caused by overhunting by early human populations.

Paleoindians

The early inhabitants of North America who lived during the Paleoindian period, primarily characterized by their hunter-gatherer lifestyle and the use of stone tools.

Hunter-Gatherer-Fishers

A group of early human societies that combined hunting and gathering with fishing, adapting their subsistence strategies to the available resources in their environment.

Environment and Subsistence

The relationship between an ecosystem's resources and how human populations adapt their methods of obtaining food and survival.

Poverty Point

A prehistoric Native American site located in Louisiana, characterized by its earthen mounds and complex ceremonial and trade activities that date back to around 1700 BCE.

The Archaic Period

A cultural phase in North America, spanning from approximately 8000 BCE to 1000 BCE, marked by the development of diverse subsistence strategies, including semi-sedentary lifestyles, horticulture, and complex social structures.

Egalitarianism

A social structure characterized by the promotion of equal rights and opportunities among individuals, minimizing hierarchies and social classes.

Exchange networks

Systems of trade and communication that link different groups or societies, allowing for the sharing of resources, goods, and cultural practices.

Neolithic

A period in prehistory marked by the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities, characterized by the domestication of plants and animals.

The Hilly Flanks Hypothesis of agriculture in the Near East

A theory that suggests agriculture originated in the Fertile Crescent's hilly regions due to the availability of wild grains and favorable conditions for early farming.

Jericho

An ancient city located in the West Bank, known for its early agricultural development and as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Çatalhöyük

A Neolithic settlement in present-day Turkey, characterized by its large size, complex architecture, and evidence of early agricultural practices and social organization.

Göbekli Tepe

A prehistoric archaeological site in Turkey, known for its monumental circular structures and large stone carvings, believed to date back to the 10th millennium BCE, indicating early complex social and ritual behaviors.

Beginnings of Agriculture in the Near East (or Southwest Asia)

The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities in the Near East around 10,000 BCE. This development led to the domestication of plants and animals, facilitating the rise of complex societies.

Beginnings of Pastoralism in the Near East (or Southwest Asia)

The development of livestock herding practices began in the Near East around 10,000 BCE, enabling groups to adapt to diverse environments and leading to more permanent settlements and societal complexity.

Trash, Waste, and Sustainability in early Near East (or Southwest Asian Settlements)

The management of refuse, material repurposing, and environmental balance in early Near Eastern settlements refers to the practices employed by ancient communities to handle waste and trash efficiently. This involved systematic waste disposal strategies, innovative reuse of materials, and maintaining a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment to promote sustainability. These practices demonstrate how early settlers interacted with their natural resources while addressing the challenges posed by waste production.

Plastered skulls

human skulls that have been covered with plaster, typically used for ritualistic purposes, often found in archaeological sites, indicating ancient practices related to ancestor veneration or funerary rituals.

Obsidian exchange

a system where different tools or components can be integrated to enhance productivity and workflow, often focusing on knowledge management and personal organization. It allows users to leverage the capabilities of various applications to streamline processes.

Maize Agriculture

the cultivation and production of maize (corn), a staple crop that is a significant source of food and income in many

Chaco Canyon

an archaeological site located in northwestern New Mexico, known for its significant cultural and historical importance to the Ancestral Puebloans. It features large-scale stone structures, ceremonial buildings, and a complex network of roads that connected various communities.

Pueblo Bonito

a notable archaeological site in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, recognized for its large dwellings that exemplify the architectural style of the Ancestral Puebloans. It consists of hundreds of interconnected rooms and was likely a central hub for trade and ceremonial activities.

Trade and Exchange in the Southwest and Midcontinent

refer to the systems and practices through which different Indigenous groups in these regions engaged in the transfer of goods, services, and resources. This often included the exchange of food, textiles, pottery, and other items that were vital for cultural and economic sustainability.

Southwestern Migration

refers to the movements of various Indigenous peoples, particularly the Ancestral Puebloans, into and around the Southwestern region of the United States. This migration was influenced by factors such as climate changes, resource availability, and social dynamics, significantly impacting the cultural and historical landscape of the area.

Chunkey game

is a traditional Native American game that involves rolling a stone disk (the chunkey stone) along the ground and throwing sticks to try to hit it. It played a significant role in the social and cultural life of various Indigenous groups, serving as a competitive sport as well as a means of social gathering.

Cohokia (general dates for rise and fall)

refers to a pre-Columbian Native American city located near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, that flourished from around 600 AD to 1400 AD. It was the largest urban center of the Mississippian culture, known for its complex society, monumental earthworks, and extensive trade networks.

Mound 72

is a significant archaeological site located in Cahokia, Illinois, known for its complex burial practices and rich array of artifacts. It features two distinct burial events: one involving a large number of sacrificial burials and another containing elite burials, highlighting the social stratification and ritual practices of the Mississippian culture.

Simple chiefdoms

type of political organization characterized by a hierarchical system where one individual, the chief, holds authority over a group of communities or villages. They typically have an organization that is less complex than more stratified chiefdoms and often rely on kinship ties for leadership and social organization.

Complex chiefdoms

a type of political organization characterized by a hierarchical structure that includes multiple levels of authority and governance. They typically oversee larger populations than simple chiefdoms and have more complex economic systems, social classes, and political structures. They often involve numerous communities and are marked by increased social stratification and centralized leadership.

Mississippian Chiefdoms

socio-political structures that existed in the Southeastern United States from about 800 AD to 1600 AD, characterized by a hierarchical organization led by chiefs. They were known for their large, complex societies, extensive trade networks, and monumental earthworks, such as mounds, which served as centers for political and religious activities.

Mississippian Horizon Styles

the distinct artistic and cultural expressions found in the artifacts and pottery of the Mississippian culture. These styles are identifiable across various regions of the Southeastern United States and reflect the widespread influence of major center cities during the Mississippian period, signifying shared cultural practices and aesthetic preferences among the chiefdoms.