ANT 2423
Introduction to Archaeology
Section 3194
Self-Paced
Fall 1997
Instructor: Michael Pool
Office Hours:
Rio Grande Campus, Annex 250.1
Monday 9:00-11:00, 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday 9:30-10:30
Phone: 223-3403
Messages: 223-300 (Rio Grande Campus)
Home: 280-7654 (Do Not call after 10:00 pm)
E-mail:
mpool@austin.cc.tx.us
Anthropology Web Page: www.austin.cc.tx.us/pool/
Syllabus
Classes start Aug. 25
Sept. 1 Labor Day- No classes
or office hours
Aug. 25-Oct. 4
Out of the Past, Chapters 1-5
Adventures in Fugawiland
Objectives: Learn the basic concepts and methods of archaeology;
how professional archaeology developed and its relationship to the field
of anthropology; the scientific process and how to apply it; and how archaeologists
design and carry out research, using specific case examples.
Sept. 15 Hand-in 1 Fugawiland:
printout
of regional map with sites, lakes and rivers, and hills, as well as xerox
copy of completed contour maps on page 84.
Test 1 Due Oct. 6 (Chapters 1-5)
Oct. 5-Oct. 11
Out of the Past, Chapter 6
Video 1: New Worlds [Shows Oct. 5 7:00-8:00
am and Oct. 9 9:00-10:00 pm]
Objective: Understand the theories of cultural adaptation and
culture change developed by anthropologists, using information gathered
by archaeologists and ethnographers
Oct. 13 Hand-in 2 Fugawiland:
one typed page (double-spaced) with your hypotheses of the settlement system
(see Unit 2), as well as a map indicating the ten sites you selected for
excavation.
Oct. 12-Oct. 18
Out of the Past, Chapter 7
Video 2: The Hearth [Shows Oct. 12 7:00-8:00
am1, Oct. 16 9:00-10:00 pm]
Objective: Understand basic social organization and its archaeological
evidence in houses, communities, and settlement systems.
Oct. 19-Oct. 25
Out of the Past, Chapter 8
Video 3: Artisans and Traders [Shows Oct.
197:00-8:00 am1, Oct. 23 9-10 pm]
Objective: Understand economic organization and how material
needs are met and how goods are produced, distributed, and consumed.
Oct. 26-Nov. 1
Out of the Past, Chapter 9
Video 4: Signs and Symbols [Shows Oct. 26 7:00-8:00 am1, Oct.
30 9-10 pm]
Objective: Learn the principles and examples of communication
systems, including the development of the earliest writing.
Nov. 3 Hand-in 3 Fugawiland:
Hand in five printouts of your analyses, including one table, one bar graph,
one plot graph, and one map of spatial distributions.
Nov. 2-Nov. 8
Out of the Past, Chapter 10
Video 5: Power, Prestige, and Wealth [Shows
Nov. 2 7:00-8:00 am1, Nov. 6 9-10 pm]
Objective: Understand the way political authority and power
develop, how they are used, and how archaeologists detect them.
Test 2 Due Nov. 10 (Chapters 6-10)
Nov. 9-Nov. 15
Out of the Past, Chapter 11
Video 6: Realms [Shows Nov. 9 7:00-8:00
am1, Nov. 13 9:00-10:00 pm]
Objective: Understand the extent of political power and the
archaeological manifestations of capitals, hinterlands, and borders.
Nov. 17-Nov. 23
Out of the Past, Chapter 12
Video 7: The Spirit World [Shows Nov.
16 7:00-8:00 am1, Nov. 20 9-10 pm]
Objective: Learn how archaeologists recognize and interpret
evidence of religion and ideology.
Nov. 24 Fugawiland due
Nov. 23-Nov. 29
Out of the Past, Chapter 13-15
Video 8: Collapse [Shows Nov. 23 7:00-8:00
am1, Nov. 27 9:00-10:00 pm]
Objectives: Understand the events and processes of the rise
of civilizations in the Old and New World regions and why civilizations
fall, using as a case study the collapse of Maya civilization.
Nov. 26 Last Day to Withdraw
Nov. 27-30 Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 30-Dec. 6
Out of the Past, Chapter 16
Objective: Explore the theories explaining cultural processes,
especially the development of sociopolitical complexity.
Dec. 8 Extracredit due
Dec. 8 Test 3 Due
Dec. 8 Study Guide due
Texts
Webster, Daniel L., Susan T. Evans, and William T. Sanders (1993) Out
of the Past: An Introduction to Archaeology. Mountain View, Ca.:Mayfield
Publishing Co.
Gonlin, Nancy, Susan T. Evans, and David L. Webster
(1993) Study Guide to Accompany Out of the Past: An Introduction
to Archaeology. Mountain View, Ca.:Mayfield Publishing Co.
Price, T. Douglas and Anne Brigitte Gebauer (1997)
Adventures in Fugawiland: A Computer Simulation in Archaeology Second
Edition. Mountain View, Ca.:Mayfield Publishing Co.
Course Description
Based on an eight-part
PBS video series and integrated textbook and study guide, this course
uses on-site filming to explore how archaeologists reconstruct ancient
societies, explain how and why these societies evolved, and understand
how archaeology and anthropology interact. Mayan research provides the
core of the presentation, but a broadly comparative perspective, including
many other societies from both the Old and New Worlds, is presented. In
addition, a computer simulation workbook, Adventures in Fugawiland,
will be used to operationalize archaeological thinking and analysis.
Course Objectives
1. To introduce students to the practice of archaeology
(techniques, methods, and theories) and to the archaeological record;
2. To show what kinds of research questions archaeologists
ask and why these questions are important;
3. To inform students how archaeologists structure
their research to answer these questions and how the questions are used
and answered in actual field situations;
4. To provide a broadly comparative approach using
images and information about many cultures and to teach critical thinking
skills necessary to understand how cultures function and change; and
5. To introduce the archaeological perspective
on how and why cultures function and change, what similarities are broadly
shared among cultures, and why cultures differ.
Grading
Adventures
in Fugawiland (20%): You will be graded
on Part IV of the work book; attach a printout of the multiple choice test
given in the computer program. Instead of writing the essay in the work
book, type it using double spacing and one inch margins; minimum length
is three pages. Used work books will not be accepted without instructor
approval.
Tests
(20% each): There will be three objective tests available at any of the
testing centers. Each test will consist of 50 multiple choice and, possibly,
matching questions. The answer sheets must be dated by the testing center
by the due date to receive full credit. Permission slips are required
for each test. There are no re-tests.
Questions on the videos will be based on the video
discussion questions found in the study guide; keep these questions in
mind while viewing the videos. Some of the other questions are based on
the overview, discussion questions, testing comprehension questions found
in the study guide.
Study
Guide (10%): Complete sections II.B.1.
and III.A. (except for essay questions) for each chapter. Hand the Study
Guide in at the end of the semester. Used study guides will not be accepted
without instructor approval.
Participation
(10%): This part of your grade will be based on the three hand ins
for Adventures in Fugawiland.
Note: One point will be deducted
from your grade for each calendar day the assignment is late after its
due date. Points
will be deducted until a maximum grade of 70 can be earned; points will
not be deducted below a grade of 70. After Dec. 8 a score of zero will
be recorded.
Test 3 and the Study Guide must
be handed in by Dec. 8 or a score of 0 will be recorded, unless permission
is received from the instructor to hand it in late.
Adventures in Fugawiland
and the Study Guide may handed in either by giving it to me during my office
hours, placing it in my mail box in the VP's of Students office at the
Rio Grande Campus after getting a date stamp from the receptionist, or
by routing it to me from any campus through the ACC mail system after getting
a date stamp from the receptionist (route to Michael Pool at Rio Grande
Campus). If a date stamp is not on the item, I will assume it was handed
in one day before I got it and deduct any points accordingly.
It is not my policy to drop students;
it is the students responsibility to drop the class.
Extracredit
Book
Review: You will receive up to 15 points
added to your final grade for writing a 10 page review of two professional
publications that you select and I approves. An A on the review will get
15 points, a B 10 points, and a C 5 points. You will be quaranteed at least
a C if you meet the following guidelines:
typed, double-spaced with one inch margins, no
more than 12 point type (10 CPI or more)
a minimum of 10 pages (9 1/2 pages not accepted).
received by the due date and not later
instructor approval of the book
readable
Annotated Bibliography:
Complete an annotated bibliography of 10 professional articles concentrating
on a topic selected by the student and approved by me. Each annotation
will consist of the article citation (single spaced) and a minimum one
page summary (double spaced). The annotated bibliography will be typed
with a maximum of one inch margins on the sides, top, and bottom. In addition
to the annotations there will be a one page summary introduction of the
ten articles.
Major articles from Current Anthropology
with comments will count as two references as long as the summary and length
of the summary (2 pages) reflect the comments and reply. No more than 3
articles can come from one source (journal or book).
A maximum of 15 points will be added to your final grade for an A, 10
points for a B, and 5 points for a C.
Internet Review:
Review 10 internet archaeological resources and write a minimum one page
review of each source. Include a 1 page overview introduction. Please consult
with the instructor if you wish to choose this option. The same grade range
applies as the other extracredit options.
Tape Viewing Locations
ACC Libraries/LRC (Cypress Creek,
Eastridge, Fredericksburg, Northridge, Rio Grande, Riverside, and Pinnacle);
and ACC access cable channels. There will be no programs on access cable
from Aug. 25-Oct. 4.
Schedule for Cable Access
|
Sunday 7:00-8:00 am1
|
Thursday 9:00-10:00 pm
|
| Video 1: New Worlds |
Oct. 5
|
Oct. 9
|
| Video 2: The Hearth |
Oct. 12
|
Oct. 16
|
| Video 3: Artisans and Traders |
Oct. 19
|
Oct. 23
|
| Video 4: Signs and Symbols |
Oct. 26
|
Oct. 30
|
| Video 5: Power, Prestige, and
Wealth |
Nov. 2
|
Nov. 6
|
| Video 6: Realms |
Nov. 9
|
Nov. 13
|
| Video 7: The Spirit World |
Nov. 16
|
Nov. 20
|
| Video 8: Collapse |
Nov. 23
|
Nov. 27
|
|
1 Sunday programs are only seen
on Austin Cablevision
|
Adventures in Fugawiland
Adventures in Fugawiland is a computer simulation
of archaeological excavation and analysis. I included the workbook in the
course to give you a better idea of what archaeologists do. Both Windows
and Macintosh versions of the program are available from the publisher;
availability depends on the bookstore. You are expected to read the manual
and complete the exercises in the manual. Computers are available for use
in the LRS computer labs; a computer can be reserved for use for a period
of time. Expect to spend at least 10 hours doing the simulation and exercises
plus at least several more writing it
You will be graded on completing all the exercises
in Part IV.
Requirements:
Windows 3.1 or 95: 2 megabytes ram, VGA monitor
and card with 256 colors. If you use the LRS computers install the program
to a floppy disk and run it from the floppy. The LRS does not allow the
installation of student programs on their computers due to copyright laws.
Macintosh: 2.5 megabytes of hard drive space,
4 megabytes ram, system 7.x; color monitor preferred. You will not be able
to use the LRS Macintosh computers as you can not run the program off a
floppy disk.
ASSIGNMENTS
Unit 1 (Sept.
15)
-
Read Chapter 1, pp. 70-86 in Chapter 3, and pp. 116-120
in Chapter 4 of Out of the Past
-
Read Parts I and II and Part III, Chapters 4 and
5 in Adventures in Fugawiland.
-
Familiarize yourself with how the program and computer
work.
-
Use the map and information in Chapter 5 of the workbook
to familiarize yourself with the region.
-
Complete the exercises in the first part of Part
IV that do not use the computer program (pp. 84-91) (Discovering Sites,
Dating and Chronology, and Radiocarbon Dating).
Unit 2 (Oct.
13)
-
Read the rest of chapters 3 and 4 in Out of
the Past; Chapters 1, 3, and 4 will help you to derive hypotheses
concerning the settlement system and devise a sampling strategy prior to
excavation.
-
Review Chapters 4 and 5 in the Fugawiland
workbook and read Chapters 6 and 7 and the Help section in the program.
-
Develop some hypotheses concerning the nature of
the settlement of the region based on the topography and distribution of
resources (Chapter 5) and background knowledge (Chapters 3, 6, and 7) presented
in the workbook and in the Help section of the program. Basically answer
the following questions based on this information and the distribution
of known sites (Regional Map of Fugawiland):
1. What foods do you expect to be utilized? What season are they available?
Where are they available? What is the subsistence cycle?
2. Where would settlements be located to exploit what resources? What
time of year would the settlements be occupied? What is the annual cycle?
3. How many groups of people are there and what distinguishes them?
4. Are there any special or ceremonial sites?
It is not important that your hypotheses are correct but that they are
sensible and testable and will guide you in the selection of sites for
excavation and in your data analysis.
-
Select 10 sites for excavation in order to test your hypotheses. Then excavate
them in the Fugawiland program (Chapter 6). As you excavate each site examine
the site plan and information (Chapter 7) and modify your hypotheses and
site selections accordingly.
Unit 3 (Nov.
3)
-
Review Chapter 3 in Out of the Past
and read Chapters 6-7.
-
Review pp. Chapter 7 and read Chapter 8 in the Fugawiland
workbook.
-
Print out site maps and artifact tables for each
excavated site. Begin to analyze your data by completing the analysis exercises
Part IV of the Fugawiland workbook. Subsequent analyses should be based
on testing your hypotheses rather than simply searching for possible patterns.
Unit 4 (due Nov.
24)
-
Review Chapter 3-8 in Out of the Past;
this is especially relevant to the final interpretation of the project
as it discusses basic theoretical concepts in anthropology that guide interpretation
-
Compile your maps, data, and analyses of data. Assess
whether your analyses have falsified or verified your hypotheses (address
the questions in Unit 2). Write a 3-5 page double-spaced type written
report (rather than writing the essay in the workbook), discussing your
interpretations and conclusions with respect to your hypotheses using relevant
maps and data analyses to support your position.
In addition to the questions
in the workbook, answer the following questions to determine what is /are
the settlement system(s) used by the inhabitants of Fugawiland (how they
organized themselves in space and time to exploit their environment). Information
found in Chapters 3-8 of Fugawiland will be useful in writing
the report and in the Help section of the program. Remember not to focus
on just particular sites; instead, look at the regional pattern and the
part the individual sites played in this pattern. You do not have to
specifically answer these questions in your report, but make sure the information
is included in the report.
1. What is the distribution of plant and animal
remains and of tool types?
2. What foods were utilized at each excavated
site and where and when were they obtained?
3. Were fish eaten in the inland sites?
4. Do you find mussels and deer at the same site?
5. Were sites with lots of points used in the
spring?
6. How many different kinds of sites are there?
What information is useful in distinguishing them? What activities occurred
at each type of site?
7. Were these sites occupied for the entire year
or for part of the year? If for part of the year, what part of the year?
[remember that hunters and gatherers rarely stayed at one site for the
entire year.]
8. What is/are the
annual subsistence cycle(s)?
9. How many groups of people are there, and how
are they different (what distinguishes any groups)?
10. How many people were there at each site,
and given their annual cycle, how many people were there in each group?
How many people were there in the entire region?
11. Did everyone have chert knives and is the
distribution of chert knives related to the nearness to the source?
12. Where are people usually buried and what
are the forms of burials?
13. Are there any special/ceremonial sites? Which
sites are they, if any? What characteristics make them special/ceremonial
sites?
14. What evidence is there for trade or exchange?
Is any trade/exchange regional? If not, what is the extent of the trade/exchange?
15. What other kinds of information would you
need to better understand the archaeology of Fugawiland in terms of the
questions asked above and in terms of other questions? What other questions
could be asked?
HELPFUL HINTS:
1. For help on the contour maps in the workbook consult
me.
2. When picking sites to excavate , make sure
to select sites from all four topographic areas: lakeshore, river, plain,
and hills. If you do not, you will miss information important for interpretation.
3. Make sure you use the regional plot analysis.
4. Be sure to complete all parts of the exercises
and answer all the questions in Part 4, even if the questions are not
printed in bold print (pages 86, 89, 91, 95, 97, and 98).
5. For the graphs on page 100 use the following
information:
For points use the following ranges in the left
hand column and then record the number of sites with the number of projectile
points in that range in the right-hand column:
|
# points
|
# sites
|
|
0-14.9
|
|
|
15-29.9
|
|
|
30-44.9
|
|
|
>44.9
|
|
For copper knives use the following ranges:
|
# copper knives
|
# sites
|
|
0-24.9
|
|
|
25-49.9
|
|
|
50-74.9
|
|
|
>74.9
|
|
Then plot the number of sites in each range on the
graph to the right of each table.
6. For the seasonality chart on page 101, determine
the season of availability rather than use.
If you have any comments or questions about this Web page, please contact
Michael Pool at
-
512-223-3385
-

-
snail mail: 1212 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78748
Anthropology Program
Last Updated 8-8-97
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