Module 1: Archaeology — Key Concepts & Timeline

What is archaeology?

  • Definition: study of the human past through material remains

  • Material remains include: architecture, pottery/ceramics, human remains, plant remains, stone tools

  • Focus: material culture, sites, artifacts; complements written records

The origins of culture

  • Oldowan tool tradition: 2.6 mya – 1.5 mya2.6\,\text{mya} \text{ – } 1.5\,\text{mya}

  • Distinction: skeletal remains (paleoanthropology) vs material culture (archaeology)

Paleoanthropology vs Archaeology

  • Focus: skeletal remains vs artifacts and material culture

  • Examples: Homo erectus, Homo habilis

Archaeology and history

  • Archaeology: material culture; evidence from 2.5 mya2.5\,\text{mya}

  • History: documents from 3400 BC3400\,\text{BC} onward

  • Characteristics: archaeology often fragmentary and must be interpreted; potential bias in sources; many documents are written on fragile materials

The Geologic Time Spiral

  • 65 mya65\,\text{mya}: Extinction of dinosaurs

  • 200 K ya200\,\text{K ya}: Homo sapiens sapiens

  • 6-7 mya6\text{-}7\,\text{mya}: Sahelanthropus tchadensis, first probable bipedal ancestor

  • Note: FICTION! indicates some early time claims may be incorrect on slide 4

Paleontologists at work vs Archaeologists at work

  • Paleontologists study fossils; Archaeologists study the human past via material remains

Are these people archaeologists?

  • Question posed in slide; no answer provided in transcript