Welcome To Week 5 Lab: You Will Learn

Video Onewelcome To The Week 5 Lab This Week You Will Learn How Arc

Welcome to the Week 5 lab. This week, you will learn how archaeologists collect and analyze artifacts. Key terms include artifact (a movable object modified by humans), feature (a non-portable object resulting from human activity), midden (trash deposit), ecofacts (plant and animal remains), and excavation (controlled digging to record artifact provenance).

Artifacts are often collected via surface collection, where archaeologists gather items lying on the ground surface, labeling each with information such as date, site, collector, and location. Excavations involve digging in designated units, recording the three-dimensional context of each artifact, including the level where it was found, since depth often correlates with age.

Documenting artifact location within the site context is critical for eventual analysis. For example, finding a single glass bottle may suggest one use, but discovering many bottles near a fire pit might indicate a different activity such as bottle making or disposal related to a communal event.

Analysis begins with examining the form and function of artifacts—what they are made of, their age, and their origin. Radiocarbon dating is a common method for organic materials, as exemplified by the excavation in Mexico that revealed animal bones and pottery shards approximately 1700 years old. These findings suggest specific cultural activities, such as feasting.

Studying trash or refuse provides insights into past peoples’ social, economic, and political practices, just as examining modern homes can reveal social status. Large, well-maintained homes and luxury items suggest wealth and social standing, whereas modest homes and common household items reflect different lifestyles.

In archaeology, analyzing artifacts in their contextual setting enables researchers to hypothesize about the lives of past peoples. For example, the contents of household trash can reveal individual habits, economic status, and cultural practices. Similarly, in contemporary society, a mansion in Beverly Hills may be associated with wealth, based on size, location, and possessions, while small homes in urban areas suggest different socio-economic backgrounds.

This week’s garbology worksheet asks you to analyze a list of trash items and their locations within an excavation to interpret the social and cultural context of the site. Reflect on each piece both individually and collectively, considering how context influences interpretation.

Field notes are essential in anthropological research; they serve as detailed records of observations and thoughts during data collection. For this assignment, you will create your own field notes based on the course materials, including key concepts, questions, and observations—mimicking the practices of professional anthropologists. Ensure your notes are clear, organized, and reflective of your understanding.

Paper For Above instruction

Archaeology is a discipline that seeks to understand past human behaviors through the study of artifacts, features, ecofacts, and sites. The systematic collection and analysis of these elements provide critical insights into ancient cultures, social structures, and technological advancements.

Fundamental to archaeological practice is understanding the key terminology. An artifact, for instance, is a portable object modified or manufactured by humans. Examples include stone tools, pottery fragments, coins, and jewelry. Such artifacts often serve as primary data when reconstructing past activities. Features, on the other hand, are non-portable elements like structures, hearths, or pathways, which require careful recording of their spatial context to interpret their functions. Middens, or trash deposits, contain refuse that can reveal daily life, diet, and consumption patterns. Ecofacts—plant and animal remains—offer insights into diet, environmental conditions, and resource management. Lastly, excavation involves systematic digging that preserves the provenience of artifacts, allowing archaeologists to analyze spatial relationships crucial for understanding chronological sequences and cultural practices.

The collection of artifacts typically occurs through surface collection and excavation. Surface collection involves walking across a site to gather artifacts resting on the ground surface. These items are then bagged and labeled with pertinent information such as collection date, location, and collector. Excavation involves removing soil layers systematically in units, with artifacts documented in three dimensions—by level and position within the site—allowing for chronological and functional analysis. The stratification process underscores the importance of context: artifacts found at different depths often represent different time periods. Context is paramount because it enables archaeologists to reconstruct cultural activities accurately. For example, discovering a cluster of vessels associated with a hearth suggests domestic or ritual activity.

Analyzing artifacts involves examining their form, function, material, and age. Techniques such as radiocarbon dating are instrumental in determining the age of organic remains. For example, in Mexico, excavations yielded animal bones and pottery shards, which, through radiocarbon dating, revealed a deposit age of roughly 1700 years, illuminating past dietary and social practices. The correlation of artifacts across stratigraphic levels reinforces the interpretation of chronological sequences and cultural change.

Beyond individual artifacts, the broader archaeological context facilitates interpretations of social identity, economic status, and cultural practices. Analyzing trash can reveal social stratification—wealth, consumption habits, and cultural values—by comparing different households or sites. For instance, a mansion in Beverly Hills might be identified as affluent based on its size, location, and luxury items like expensive wine bottles or jewelry receipts. Conversely, modest homes with common household items indicate different socio-economic standings. Similarly, examining a small house in Detroit might reveal a different lifestyle, based on its trash content and physical environment.

In archaeology, understanding the landscape and artifacts within their site context allows researchers to hypothesize about past social and economic systems. For example, a large ceremonial site with elaborate artifacts suggests organized political or religious practices, whereas domestic sites with everyday objects reflect daily life and economic activity. The integration of artifact analysis, spatial data, and environmental evidence provides a comprehensive picture of past human behavior.

Finally, field notes are an integral aspect of anthropological work. They serve as detailed records capturing immediate observations, questions, and insights during fieldwork or research. Creating organized, reflective notes is essential for capturing nuances that aid later analysis and foster collaboration. As students, developing skillful field note-taking—highlighting key concepts, emerging questions, and significant observations—mirrors professional practices, supports learning, and enhances interpretive accuracy.

References

• Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2016). Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Thames & Hudson.
• Schiffer, M. B. (1987). Formation Processes of the Archaeological Record. University of New Mexico Press.
• Hodder, I. (2012). entanglement: The', new archaeology. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Garrison, T. (2014). Ancient North America: Archaeology and the Search for a Lost Culture. Thames & Hudson.
• Kintigh, K. W., et al. (2014). Grand challenges for Archaeology. PNAS, 111(3), 879-880.
• Schwartz, J. H., & Politis, G. (2015). Archaeological Method and Theory. Routledge.
• Shennan, S. (2018). Towards a reliable protocol for archaeological dating. Journal of Archaeological Science, 94, 15-23.
• Blakey, M. L., & Thomas, E. (2017). Geographic Information Systems and Archaeology. Routledge.
• McGhee, R. (2018). The Archaeology of Early North America. University of California Press.
• Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2016). Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Thames & Hudson.