Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2004 Archaeology - Theories, Methods and Practice.
London: ... Reading: Renfrew and Bahn 2004: Preface and Introduction Webct.
Current Archaeology Course Requirements: Garbage Project- 20 %, Mapping Project- 20 %, Quiz’s- 10%; Mid-Term 25%; Final 25% --Total: 100% Class Aims and Objectives: This class is aimed at investigating current research issues in modern archaeology. Archaeology is viewed as an integral part of the broader field of anthropology. As such, archaeology can be thought of as the 'past tense' of cultural anthropology. While taking this class will not make you an archaeologist, ANTH 380 will give you an in-depth preparation for understanding contemporary issues in world archaeology. We will draw from academic research and methods centering on issues ranging from prehistoric to historic context conducted in various parts of the world. This class will also give you an in-depth understanding into various methodologies utilized in archaeological field schools, CRM, and other archaeological firms. To meet our goals, we will incorporate class lectures, discussion, video clips, field trips and hands-on projects. You are encouraged to take charge of your education and participate in all of these activities. The first of two assigned projects is entitled “The Garbage Project” and is to be carried out over the course of the semester. This project will introduce you to archaeology in action and teach you the foundations of observation and classification. The project will also expose you to basic archaeological work that includes processing archaeological materials. You will be required to submit your findings in a written report at the end of the semester.
The second project is a mapping project. You are required to develop a sketch map of a particular region located on the campus. This exercise will assist you in developing landscape observation skills and interpretation and representing them two-dimensionally. The final sketch map and associated documentation will be turned in with your midterm.
Required reading: Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2004 Archaeology - Theories, Methods and Practice. London: Thames and Hudson. (5th
ed) *****later editions are acceptable******
Additional required readings will be posted on WEBCT. Please note these readings are subject to
testing.
We need to setup a weekend meeting at an archaeological site. This will make up for Class 1
Course Schedule (subject to change-readings subject to change):
Class 1 Postponed- Make up on a weekend Class 2 Labor Day- No Class Class 3 Introduction to the Class
Archaeology as Anthropology Reading: Renfrew and Bahn 2004: Preface and Introduction Webct
Reading: Lewis R. Binford, Archaeology as Anthropology American
Antiquity, Vol. 28, No. 2. (Oct., 1962), pp. 217-225.
Class 4 The Origins of Archaeology History of the Discipline: Processual and
Post-Processual Archaeology
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 1. Reading: WebCT: Deetz, History and
Archaeological Theory: Walter Taylor Revisited American Antiquity, Vol. 53, No. 1. (Jan.,
1988), pp. 13-22. Reading: WebCT: Clark, Paradigms in Science and Archaeology
Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 1, No. 3, 1993 Class 5 Constructs: The Nature of Archaeological Data Topics: The Forms, Determinants, Structure, and Approaches to Archaeological Data and Data Gathering. Reading: Renfrew and Bahn-Chapter 2 Reading: Lewis R. Binford, A Consideration
of Archaeological Research Design American Antiquity, Vol. 29, No. 4. (Apr., 1964),
pp. 425-441.
Class 6 Archaeological Data and Contexts Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 2. Reading: Charles L. Redman, Surface Collection, Sampling, and
Research Design: A Retrospective. American Antiquity, Vol. 52, No. 2. (Apr., 1987), pp. 249-265.
Class 7 Advances in Archaeological Survey Methods Site Reconnaissance, Surveys & Excavations Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 3 Reading: Witten, A.J., Levy, T.E., Adams, R.B. and Won, I.J. "Geophysical Surveys in the Jebel Hamrat Fidan, Jordan." Geoarchaeology Vol 15, No. 2. 135-150 (2000) URL: http://weber.ucsd.edu/Depts/Anthro/classes/tlevy/Fidan/relpub/pubnews.html
Class 8 Mid-term Class 9 Archaeological Excavation Reading: Webct: Åsa Berggren; Ian Hodder, Social Practice, Method, and Some Problems of Field Archaeology, American Antiquity, Vol. 68, No. 3. (Jul., 2003), pp. 421-434. Reading: Webct: Linda Perry, Starch analyses reveal the relationship between tool type and function: an example from the Orinoco, L Perry - Journal of Archaeological Science, 2004 Reading: Webct: Michael Brian Schiffer; James M. Skibo, The Explanation of Artifact Variability American Antiquity, Vol. 62, No. 1. (Jan., 1997), pp. 27-50. Reading: Webct: SAA Bulleting 14
Class 10 Dating and Chronologies and Social Archaeology: How were they Organized? Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 4 and 5 Class 11 Environmental Archaeology 1 Topics: Foundations; Functionalism; Paleoenvironments Reading: Renfrew and Bahn - Chapter 6 and 7 Topics: Taphonomy; Paleobotany; Osteology; Zooarchaeology; Geoarchaeology Class 12 Ethnoarchaeology and Technologies Reading: Renfrew and Bahn, Chapter 8 and pp. 166-169. Masters of Fire- Available on WebCT Video: Dhodo Morning; From Holy Land to Holy Land
Class 13 The Archaeology of Death Readings: Renfrew and Bahn – Chapter 11
Class 15 Cognitive Archaeology: What were they thinking? Ideological and Symbol Systems Topics: Recognizing and Analyzing Symbols; Abstract and Depictive Material
Symbols; Writing; Notation, and Measurement Systems; Worldview; Ideology and Cultural Change
Reading: Renfrew and Bahn- Chapter 10
Class 15 Future of the Past & Who Owns the Past?
Ethics and Archaeology
Readings: Renfrew & Bahn Chapter 14. Reading: Renfrew and Bahn - Chapter 14 Reading: Webct:
Archaeology in Crisis, SCIENCE VOL 317 24 AUGUST 2007 Reading: Webct: Matsuda, The ethics of
archaeology, subsistence digging, and artifact looting in Latin America: point muted counterpoint. International
Journal of Cultural Property (1998), 7: 87-97 Cambridge University Press
Class 16 Final Exam:
Academic Honesty: Courtesy and respect for people, their ideas, and their work is expected of all participants in the teaching, learning, and research enterprise. Cheating on exams, copying another’s work, representing someone else’s work as your own, or helping someone else to do any of these things show a lack of respect and will not be tolerated. Further details about the California State University San Marcos’s policy on academic misconduct can be found at: (http://www.csusm.edu/academic_programs/catalog/). ADA Statement: Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations must be approved for services by providing appropriate and recent documentation to the Office of Disabled Student Services (DDS). This office is located in Craven Hall 4300A, and can be contacted by phone at (760) 750-4905, or TTY (760) 750 4909. Students authorized by DSS to receive reasonable accommodations should meet with the Department Chair during his or her office hours in order to ensure confidentiality.
