anth 1 midterm `1

Science

A process of understanding phenomena through observation, generalization, verification, and refutation.

Scientific Method

Self correcting set of procedures for gaining and testing our knowledge of the world.

Anthropology

study of humankind through scientific methods.

Four subfields of anthropology

Linguistics

Cultural or Social

Archaeology

Physical anthropology

Linguistics

human language

the study of communication through the use of language

Cultural or Social

Fieldwork= participant observation

Ethnography: the study of individual contemporary cultures.

Ethnology: the comparative analysis of various living societies.

Archaeology

study of human beings through their material remains

Fieldwork= survey, excavation

Physical anthropology

study of human biology and its interaction with culture

Anthropological holism

Economics, Literature, Religion, Biology, Medicine, Political Science, Psychology.

Paleontology

the study of ancient lifeforms except humans

Ex: dinosaurs

Important questions of archaeology

1. Hunter and Gatherers- Sedentism- Agriculture

2. Monumental Architecture

3. Human diversity.

-cooperation vs. Segregation

-Social inequality

4. State, cities, and urbanism

Reasons for archaeology

-Scientific understanding

-Critical evaluation of our perceptions

-Who we are and where we are going

-Human diversity

Synchronic

view that emphasizes the contemporary state of human societies with little or no time depth.

Diachronic

view that stresses development through time.

Define Archaeology (from textbook)

the study of the human past through its material remains.

Time

B.P. (before present) -1950

B.C. (before Christ)

A.D. (Amno Domini) (=in the year of the Lord)

-Today=A.D. 2018 (although we tend to omit A.D. for modern periods)

2,000 B.C.=4,000 B.P.

my=million years

ky=thousand years

mya=million years ago

History

-oral history: preserves extensive historical knowledge, especially among peoples who rely less exclusively on written information than does modern Western society.

-document history: focuses primarily on societies with writing.

Previous view of historical trajectories

surplus-leisure time-technological and cultural development-better life?

Our notions of the world

-glorious progress to civilization

-Hunter-gatherer life:

-Misery

-Hunger

-Hardwork

Popular images of the Stone Age

-"caveman"

-natural beings

-savages

-harry images

-hide, axes, etc.

Popular images of Egyptian Kings

evil or ban pharaoh

1. Who built the Egyptian pyramids?

Workers, free Egyptians who were well-fed and cared for.

2. Where did they live during construction?

Workers lived in the downtown area of Egypt, away from the sacred and pyramids.

3. How was the pyramid builder's diet?

Workers were fed bread

4. How and where were they buried?

Workers were buried with their director.

Mound builders

-Aliens?

-Lost tribes of Israel?

-Hindus?

-Atlantis?

-Africans?

Past in the Present

Formation process: Archaeological contexts have changed

Interpretation: our past exists in a modern context

Pseudoarchaeology

while looters destroy precious evidence before it can be used to understand the past, some individuals may misuse archaeological evidence for misleading or even harmful ends.

1.Use the past for their benefits

2.Manipulate data for their goal

3.Limits human potential

-Interpretations: we must be careful with our interpretations and sensitive to how how they affect others.

Looting and destruction of cultural heritages

-illegal, indiscriminate taking of archaeology remains. These are often sold for profit.

-illegal trade in antiquities is the world's fourth most lucrative business after drugs, guns and money laundering.

-It is problematic because of destruction of cultural heritage and the loss of information for understanding human history.

National Historic Preservation Act (1966)

federally assisted agencies need to take into account the effects of their projects on historic properties and give the advisory council on historic preservation the opportunity to comment on them.

-SHIPO: state historic preservation office.

-affirmative management programs for the preservation of historic sites.

Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (1974)

requires federal agencies to document historic and archaeological properties that may be impacted by land management activities

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (1990)

-refers to native americans and native hawaiian organizations.

-requires federal agencies to consult with native american tribes prior to the excavation of native american graces on federal land.

Return cultural items to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated tribes.

It covers human remains, funerary offerings, sacred objects, and other objects considered to be cultural patrimony.

UNESCO Convention (1970)

convention on the means of prohibiting the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property but no mechanism for its return

UNIDROIT Convention (1995)

Convention on stolen illegally exported cultural objects.

-privilege pieces stolen from individuals, although there is a provision for compensation to be paid to the person or institution that currently has it.

Why archaeology? Beyond scientific research

1.Site documentation and preservation

2.Reconstruction of culture history

3.Preservation of excavated features and artifacts

4.Archiving of records for future use (field notes, maps, forms, etc.)

5.Disseminating information to the public (publication)

6.Access to these materials and records for future study (Museum)

7.Protection of the rights of the living descendants of the ancient society

Cultural Resource Management (CRM)

is concerned with the identification and evaluation of archaeological sites to protect them from disturbance or destruction and the investigation of those that cannot be saved.

-About 80% of all professional archaeologists

-Identification and evaluation of archaeological sites to protect them from disturbance or destruction

-Investigation of those that cannot be saved

Archaeological data for other specialists

1. Epidemiologists

2. Linguists

3. Ecologists and geographer

4. Exhibit designers and museum curators

5. Site interpreters

6. Re-enactors