ANTA01Lec12 2024 Thursday

Lecture Overview

ANTA01 Lecture 12: Tour of Major Archaeological Sites; Review of Lecture 2Date: November 28

Course Evaluations

Feedback Requested: Complete evaluations by December 5th

Final Exam

Date: Saturday, December 14, 7-10 PMLocation: HL170More details to come in the second half of the semester.

Lecture 12 Structure

  • Part 1: Tour of Major Archaeological Sites

  • Part 2: Exam Information

Cradles of Civilization

  1. North America: Cahokia

  2. Europe:

    • Mesopotamia

    • Minoan Crete

    • Shang

    • Indus Valley

    • Egypt

  3. Asia:

    • Teotihuacan

    • Maya

    • Olmec

    • Jenne-jeno

    • Khmer

    • Nubia

    • Axum

  4. South America:

    • Moche

    • Chimu

    • Tiwanaku

  5. Africa: Great Zimbabwe

  6. Australia: Inca

Defining Characteristics of Civilization

  • Densely populated settlements

  • Food and labor surplus controlled by an elite

  • Social stratification: hierarchy based on wealth, power, and status

  • A formal government: organized political structures that create laws and enforce order

  • A system of recordkeeping: such as writing, to manage trade, information, and administration

  • Specialization of labor: division of tasks leading to different professions

  • Monumental public works: large construction projects that reflect resources and organizational capabilities

Site Considerations

Key Questions:

  • What does the site include?

  • When does it date to?

  • Where is the site located?

  • Who is it associated with (i.e., cultural group)?

  • Why is the site there (i.e., its function)?

Archaeological Site Tour

Key Sites:

  1. The Ziggurat of Ur

    • Age: ~4000 years old

    • Location: Southern Mesopotamia (Iraq)

    • Associated Culture: Sumerians

    • Additional Resource: Mesopotamian Ziggurats

  2. The Great Pyramid of Giza

    • Features:

      • Mastaba tombs

      • Tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (~4500 years old)

      • Mortuary temples and accompanying structures

  3. Mohenjo-daro

    • Civilization Age: ~3000 years old

    • Location: Indus Valley

    • Population: Approx. 35,000 people

    • Features: Great bath, seals documenting trade and culture

  4. Knossos

    • Culture: Center of Minoan Civilization

    • Location: Island of Crete (Greece), ~4000 years ago

  5. Teotihuacán

    • Age: Early Mesoamerican city (2200-1350 years ago)

    • Population: As high as 100,000

    • Key Features: Moon Pyramid, Sun Pyramid, Feathered Serpent Pyramid

  6. Machu Picchu

    • Age: ~1460 AD

    • Features: Inca city, possibly a royal retreat or temple complex

  7. Monk’s Mound

    • Location: Illinois, USA

    • Dimensions: 100 ft tall, ~14 acres

  8. Great Zimbabwe

    • Era: 14th & 15th centuries AD

    • Location: Zimbabwe

    • Features: Great Enclosure

  9. Angkor Wat

    • Era: ~1100 AD

    • Significance: Centerpiece of Khmer civilization

    • Function: Originally built as an earthly abode for Vishnu (Hindu God)

    • Usage of Technology: False color 3-D images and lidar for studies.