Archaeology and Human Evolution Concepts

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from archaeology, human evolution, and ancient civilizations.

What is a survey in archaeology?

The initial process of identifying archaeological sites, which can include walking the land, aerial photography, or using tools like ground-penetrating radar.

What is excavation?

The methodical digging and recording of an archaeological site, including soil layers and artifacts.

What is relative dating?

Determines whether something is older or younger than something else without providing an exact age.

What does stratigraphy study?

The study of soil and rock layers (strata) and their deposition over time.

Who is Nicholas Steno?

A Danish scientist known for establishing foundational principles of geology, including the Law of Superposition.

What is the Law of Superposition?

In undisturbed layers of rock, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

What is chronometric (absolute) dating?

Provides an estimate of an actual date or date range.

What are isotopes?

Variants of a chemical element with different numbers of neutrons; some are unstable.

What is radiometric decay?

The predictable rate at which unstable isotopes decay into stable forms.

What is potassium-argon dating?

A dating method used to date volcanic rock based on the decay of potassium-40 into argon-40.

What is carbon-14 dating?

A form of radiometric dating used to date organic materials up to ~50,000 years old.

What is bipedalism?

The ability to walk on two legs, a defining characteristic of hominins.

What does encephalization refer to?

The increase in relative brain size over time.

What are non-honing canines?

A tooth structure found in hominins that lacks the sharp honing of canines seen in other primates.

What is mosaic evolution?

The idea that different traits evolve at different rates within species.

What are primitive and derived traits?

Primitive traits are ancestral; derived traits are more advanced in evolutionary terms.

What is the significance of the foramen magnum?

It indicates the position of the head for bipedalism, located towards the base of the skull in bipeds.

What is the valgus angle in relation to bipedalism?

The angle formed by the femur that helps center the body above the knees for balance.

What characterizes early hominins?

Bipedalism, reduced size/non-honing canines, and transitional anatomical structures from apes.

What indicates the efficiency of bipedal locomotion?

It is energetically efficient compared to quadrupedal locomotion.

What anatomical feature helps with thermoregulation in bipedalism?

Standing upright reduces exposure to direct sunlight while increasing airflow.

What are Oldowan tools?

The earliest known stone tools associated with Homo habilis, characterized by simple cores and flakes.

What is the importance of Homo erectus?

It is known for advanced tool use, larger brain size, and migration from Africa.

What are Acheulean tools?

Complex hand axes used by Homo erectus, indicating advanced tool-making.

What does the term 'neolithic' refer to?

The New Stone Age, marking the transition to agriculture and domestication.

What is the difference between hunting-gathering and agriculture?

Hunting-gatherers select what is available, while agriculturalists modify the environment to produce specific plants and animals.

What are the benefits of agricultural surplus?

Surplus allows for stockpiling food, trade, and craft specialization.

What is domestication in agriculture?

The interdependence between humans and selected plants and animals through artificial selection.

What is paleoethnobotany?

The study of ancient plant remains and their uses in past human societies.

What are the key indicators of domesticated animals?

Size, morphology, and demographics of animal remains found at archaeological sites.

What did domestication lead to in early agriculturalists?

Sedentism, social stratification, and reliance on stored food.

How did early agriculture affect health?

It often resulted in a less varied diet and increased dental pathologies compared to hunter-gatherers.

What is gene flow?

The movement of genes between populations that adds variability.

What is endogamy?

Mating within a specific group, which can reduce variability.

What distinguishes early Mesopotamian civilizations?

The development of urban centers, social stratification, and specialized labor.

What are ziggurats?

Temple structures central to Mesopotamian life.

What defines a city?

An urban center surrounded by dependent communities with non-kin administration and specialized labor.

Who were the Sumerians?

The people of the earliest Mesopotamian civilization known for advancements in writing and mathematics.

What characteristics are typical of Mesoamerican civilizations?

Agriculture, trade, stratified societies, monumental architecture, and record keeping.