Instructor: Prof. Britt Hartenberger
Department of Anthropology, WMU

This course is an introduction to the modern practice of archaeology. It will investigate the methods and theory used in the field and how archaeologists reconstruct the human past from mute physical remains. We will examine the types of evidence studied by archaeologists and the kinds of information we can gain this material using modern scientific techniques. Several labs will involve students in hands-on examination of artifacts and maps. The course presumes no prior knowledge of the field and fulfills a general education requirement, but it will also be useful for anthropology majors as preparation for further work in archaeology.

Required Text
Wendy Ashmore and Robert J. Sharer. 2006 (Fourth edition). Discovering Our Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology. McGraw-Hill Publishers.

Resources

Open syllabus in pdf format

Go to WebCT/Vista page for course: https://vista.wmich.edu/webct/logon/131098241021

E-reserves at library

Below: web version of syllabus

Syllabus

AN210 / Fall 2007
M/W/F 1:00--1:50 pm
Moore Hall, Room 1121

Course Description: see above

Goals:

The primary goal of the course is to learn how archaeologists understand the human past and human behavior from the material remains people have left behind. The first part of the course will give you an understanding of how the field developed and the remainder of the course will investigate how we interpret artifacts, features, and other data to reconstruct the past. By taking the course, you will also learn how broad theoretical shifts have influenced the field, and what the newest theories from social science suggest about how research should be conducted today.

Grades will be based primarily on three examinations (2 exams and a final), each worth 25% of the final grade. Two assignments will also be required, which each make up 10% of the grade. Attendance at all class meetings is expected and recommended. Class participation, including the hands-on labs during class, will make up the remaining 5% of the grade.

Schedule

Week 1: Sept. 5 and 7     Introduction to the class
Reading: Chapter 1

Week 2: Sept. 10, 12 and 14     Development of the field
Reading: Chapter 2

Week 3: Sept. 17, 19 and 21     Contemporary explanation
Reading: Chapter 3
Web reading: Compare excavation project web pages for their theoretical background.
   Links: http://www.rehov.org/project/index.htm, Beth-Shean Valley Regional Project, Israel.
   http://www3.uakron.edu/ziyaret/index.html, Ziyaret Tepe, Turkey
   http://www.catalhoyuk.com/, Catalhoyuk, Turkey
   http://www.case.edu/affil/nimrin/, Tell Nimrin, Jordan (click on "Virtual Nimrin" button for more info)
   http://metamedia.stanford.edu/~mshanks/projects/Corinth.html, Corinth (and pottery analysis), Greece

Week 4: Sept. 24, 26 and 28     Archaeological data and research
Reading: Chapter 4

Week 5: Oct. 1, 3 and 5     Survey methods
Reading: In Chapter 5, p. 87-102.
Web reading: Belize caves project - difficulties with remote sensing
   http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/belize/index.html
Optional web reading: Browse Image Library of the North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics:
   http://www.cast.uark.edu/nadag/
* Lab on reading topographic maps: Weds.

Week 6: Oct. 8: EXAM #1

Week 6: Oct. 10 and 12     Excavation
Reading: In Chapter 5, p. 102-124.

Week 7: Oct. 15, 17 and 19     Artifacts
Reading: In Chapter 6, p. 125-140, 149-156.
Web reading: How to draw a potsherd: a first-hand account
   http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/hierakonpolis/field07/4.html
*Lab on analyzing ceramics and lithics: Fri.

Week 8: Oct. 22, 24 and 26     Reconstructing the environment
Reading: "Ecofacts.pdf" on E-reserves
Assignment #1: Essay on environmental change and culture collapse (due Nov. 12)

Week 9: Oct. 29, 31 and Nov. 2    Dating methods
Reading: Chapter 7
*Lab on seriating artifacts

Week 10: Nov. 7 and 9     Interpreting evidence
Reading: In Chapter 8, p. 179-188; "Apache Wickiup" on E-reserves.

Week 11: Nov. 12, 14 and 16     Technological innovations
Reading: In Chapter 8, p. 188-192; "Raised Fields" on E-reserves.
Film: This Old Pyramid (experimental archaeology)

Week 12: Nov. 19 (Thanksgiving week)     Social systems
Reading: In Chapter 8, p. 192-211

Week 13: Nov. 26, 28 and 30     Social systems (cont.)
Reading: Chapter 9
Assignment #2: Essay on analyzing social systems (due Dec. 7)
*Lab on symbols and meaning

Week 14: Dec. 3, 5, and 7     Conceptual frameworks
Reading: Chapter 10

Week 15: December 11, 12:30-2:30pm: Final Exam