Introduction to Archaeology

Introduction to Archaeology

• Definition: Study of the past through material culture (the objects created by humans).
• Archaeological Record: All material objects constructed by humans or ancestors revealed through archaeological methods.
• Nature of Archaeology:
  • Combines aspects of science and history.
  • Considered anthropology in the past tense.
  • Anthropological Archaeology: One of many branches of archaeology, coexists with other fields like History, Classics, Palaeontology, etc.

Major Types of Archaeology

• Academic Archaeology: Education and research at academic institutions and museums.
• Cultural Resource Management (CRM): Regulates archaeological work in industry; requires government clearance before development.
• Indigenous Archaeology: Conducted with and for Indigenous communities; involves consultation on stewardship and repatriation issues.
• Amateur Archaeology: Volunteers contribute positively, but looting and pseudoscientific practices are harmful.

Cultural Resource Management (CRM)

• Legislation: Canada has robust CRM laws needing pre-development assessments of cultural resources.
• Phases in CRM:
  • Identification & Preliminary Assessment
  • Assessing Significance
  • Management Plans & Mitigation

Indigenous Archaeology

• Goals:
  • Aboriginal involvement and perspectives prioritized in research.
  • Consultations addressing stewardship, repatriation, and traditional land-use.
  • Promoting the history from First Peoples’ viewpoints.
• Notable Figures: Dr. Kisha Supernant, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn, among others.

Contemporary Archaeologies

• Focus includes:
  • Activist and public archaeology.
  • Cultural heritage management, climate impact studies, and garbage archaeology (garbology).
  • Examination of social issues like homelessness and undocumented migration.

Archaeogaming

• Mixing archaeology with video and digital games.
• Resources: Archaeogaming website.

Archaeological Research Design

• Purpose: To provide organization and efficiency in answering specific research questions (who, what, where, when, why).
• Components of Research Design: Research, Fieldwork, Interpretation, Analysis, Hypotheses.

Material Culture Evidence

• Assemblage: Collection of artifacts (portable), ecofacts, and structures from archaeological sites.
• Types of Artifacts:
  • Non-portable: Walls, burials, hearths, middens, outhouses.
  • Portable: Tools (lithics), ceramics.

Preservation Factors

• Matrix (surrounding material): impacts what evidence is recovered (sand, water).
• Climate: Affects organic preservation (oxygen, acid conditions can be detrimental).

Site Definition and Types

• Site: Locations where human activity remains are preserved for study.
• Site Types:
  • Campsites, Kill sites, Workshops, Homesteads, etc.

Excavation Process

• Purpose: Obtain reliable evidence on past human activities and their changes over time.
• Technical Process:
  • Use of 1m x 1m square units.
  • Tools: trowels, screens, and measuring devices.
• Data Collection: Acknowledges that archaeology is inherently destructive, with goals to recover and accurately record evidence.

Importance of Context

• Definition: Location (vertical and horizontal) of artifacts.
• Significance: Context provides crucial archaeological information. Artifacts lacking context (e.g., looted or eroded) lose value.

Ethics in Archaeology

• Responsibilities:
  • To the archaeological record, public, Indigenous communities, colleagues, etc.
  • Ensuring stewardship and protection of the past.
• Major Ethical Organizations:
  • Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), Society for American Archaeology (SAA), Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA).

Legislation and Legal Framework in Canada

• No cohesive federal legal protections for archaeological sites except in specific instances (Parks Canada).
• Important laws include:
  • Canada Shipping Act (2001), Government of Canada Archaeological Heritage Policy Framework (1990).

Looting and Collecting

• Issues during conflicts (e.g., Iraq war) leading to significant looting, with an estimated $2.2 billion in illicit antiquities trade annually.
• Regulation: UNESCO's prohibition on trade since 1970 does not always stop practices.

Publication and Outreach Responsibilities

• Obligation to publish archaeological findings for public and academic accessibility. This is crucial for preventing illegal activities and fostering preservation efforts.

Summary of Key Themes

• Importance of context, legal frameworks, and ethical practices in archaeology cannot be understated.
• Archaeological practices evolve and must address contemporary issues involving Indigenous rights and public engagement.