What Is Archaeology Studying Past Cultures

Page
2

systematic study of the past in this context.

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 8

Types of archaeology

Classical-use of written sources, architecture and art.

Historical-recent historic times, may be text aided.

Underwater archaeologists-study waterlogged sites or artifacts with special techniques.

Prehistoric-cultures before written records.

New World vs. Old World

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 9

Specialists

Research on particular artifacts or ecofacts.

Zooarchaeologists-animal bones from archaeological sites.

Lithic analysts-stone tools.

Paleoethnobotanists-botanical remains, domestication.

Bioarchaeologists-human remains.

Ceramics

Metals

Architecture

Writing

Etc., etc.

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 10

What is Culture?

“That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by a[person] as a member of society” Edward Tylor

Primary nonbiological means by which human societies adapt to and accomodate their environment.

Culture is a society’s traditional system of beliefs and behavior.

What is the difference between human culture and animal societies?

*i.e. when an animal dies, its experiences die with them. But what about primate societies?

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 11

Cultural Systems

Cultural Systems

A complex system comprising a set of interacting variables, including:

tools

burial customs

subsistence

religion

social organization

These elements function to maintain a community

When one element changes, others are effected

How do we study Cultural Systems in Archaeology?

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 12

Tools

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 13

Burial Customs

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 14

Religion

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 15

Social Organization

www.sliderbase.com

Slide 16

Culture Process

Processes by which human societies changed in the past.

Culture change was generally slow and gradual.

Primary Processes:

Invention

Diffusion