The Study of Archaeology Essay examples - 1056 Words

According to The Society for American Archaeology, the definition of Archaeology is, â€Å"to obtain a chronology of the past, a sequence of events and dates that, in a sense, is a backward extension of history.† The study of ancient civilizations and archaeology is rather ambiguous due to the primitive nature of the time period. With little imagery and even less textual evidence, professionals in the field must work diligently when studying their subjects. Naturally, archaeologists cannot see or communicate with those whom they are studying, so they must be extraordinarily meticulous when analyzing past cultures. This relates to all aspects of the ancient world including; foods, raw materials, artifacts, agriculture, art work and pottery. All†¦show more content†¦For example, if weather patterns change this leads to the scarcity of plants or wildlife essential for larger species which may in turn lead to the migration or death of humans and other animals. We are actu ally seeing this domino effect now in our current environment as global warming escalates. Future archaeologists will see the ramifications of this current dramatic climate change A pivotal example of the effect of a severe climate change is evidenced by the collapse of the ancient Mycenaeans. Most known in the late 1960s as an archaeologist and art historian, Rhys Carpenter determined that the environment was a likely culprit in the fall of this lost civilization. Carpenter believed one of the biggest hurdles the Mycenaean civilization faced was drought. Based on his findings Carpenter concluded that drought resulted in crop failure, disease, revolution, as well as migration. Philosophers Plato and Aristotle also made significant contributions to the discussion on environment. Both writers make note of changes in forestation and water. Aristotle noted changes in fertile soil as well as hydrology and fertility. If there had been any conclusive evidence for the demise of the Mycenaea ns it would have been in the form of pollen records as well as the remnants of mass graves, none ofShow MoreRelatedImportance Of Time, Context And Material1309 Words   |  6 PagesARC1 Supervision (Monday, 20 October) Daniel Orvomaa Discuss the importance of time, context and material culture in archaeology. Which of these three, based on your analysis of their use in archaeology, is most important to the distinctiveness of archaeology as an anthropological discipline? Introduction If we were to imagine all the humanities, and especially the anthropological disciplines at the centre of them, together with the natural sciences trying to form some sort of grand narrativeRead MoreControversial Issues in Archaelogy1011 Words   |  4 Pagesartifacts and preserve them in museums. While the field of archaeology is exciting, and the idea of partaking in perilous adventures may seem alluring, the archaeologist was depicted in an incorrect manner. An archaeologist is someone who studies human history through the excavation of sites and the examination of artifacts. Archaeologists study the past to learn more about the lives and cultures of people before. The science of archaeology is a relatively new and quickly growing field; yet, as expectedRead MoreAnimal Ancestry : The Field Of Anthropology Essay1271 Words   |  6 Pagessubsections that deal with specific branches of knowledge. Zooarchaeology, specifically, is a division of archaeology that deals with the remains of an animal after it has died. Much knowledge can be gleaned about various aspects of the animal itself, as well as the world surrounding it, through the study of zooarchaeology. The following will discuss the history of zooarchaeology, the methods of study utilized within this branch of anthropology, as well as summarize a recent zooarchaeological findingRead MoreHistory Is The Base Of The Future948 Words   |  4 Pagesbecome history when it travels the certain time interval and makes connections in the future. History is the study of the past and the study of the ancient and the recent human past through material remains is known as archeology. Archaeology offers a unique perspective on human history and culture that has contributed greatly to our understanding of both the ancient and the recent past. Archaeology helps us understand not only where and when people lived on the earth, but also why and how they have livedRead MoreIntroduction The great American scholar, William Foxwell Albright was an American Biblical800 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"father of Biblical archaeology,† because of his contributions to the archaeological historicity of the Bible. â€Å"More than any other scholar Albright’s astounding corpus of books, articles, and public lectures defined a new relationship between archaeology and Biblical studies.† Professor Albright â€Å"introduced critical assessment of the historical context of scripture, instead of merely teaching it as Gospel, and his work helped establish the Bible’s value in historical studies.† Rachel HalloteRead MoreThe Egyptian Cultural Heritage Program Essay1167 Words   |  5 PagesAssociation and many more. (UCL Institute of Archaeology). Additionally, the time and length of Hassan’s career spans more then 30 years of experience in the field of archeology (UCL Institute of Archaeology). He began his career in 1963 as a teaching assistance in the department of geology in Cairo University in Egypt (UCL Institute of Archaeology). He went on to participate in many research projects and fieldwork from about 1968 until 2009 (UCL Institute of Archaeology). Furthermore, in 2011 Hassan was theRead MoreEssay on The New Archaeology Movement913 Words   |  4 Pagesmethodologies, some archaeologists became frustrated with the traditional ways of arch aeology; they felt that the new technologies should be used to improve archaeology and the outcomes of professionals in the field. The New Archaeology was a movement that sought to contribute to the existing anthropological knowledge of human behavior by emerging as a science and separating itself from the historical approach. New archaeology did not merely incorporate scientific technology, but it also employed variousRead MoreTime and Chronology in Archeology1077 Words   |  4 PagesTime and Chronology in Archaeology Why is it important for archaeologists to establish chronologies and what are the strengths and weaknesses of absolute and relative dating methods in their establishment? By Liam Cornish In this essay will discuss what chronologies are and why they are extremely important to archaeology. It will also discuss the different types of chronologies as well as the varying methods of establishing them. Time can be determined in different ways, absolutely and relativelyRead MoreSociology, Anthropology, By Lewis Binford932 Words   |  4 Pagesarticle, Archaeology as Anthropology, Lewis Binford argues that by looking at culture through a systemic view point our interpretations of the past can become stronger and will improve the field of archaeology and anthropology as a whole. His article is integral to the foundation of ‘New Archaeology’ because it gave a critical review of the short comings of a cultural historic approach, and provides suggestions of improvement that have been applied and even built upon in contemporary archaeology. TheseRead MoreAnthropology Essay Assignment1154 Words   |  5 Pagesexamine/investigate in order to study evolution. Paleoanthropology is a branch of paleontology that falls under physical anthropology. Paleoanthropologists study extinct primates and fossils. They use these examinations to further investigate the evolution of humans. They examine ancient humans, like the anthropoids. Anthropoids are considered humans closest relative and have been linked to human evolution (Coyne, 2009). 4) Discuss ‘how’ a physical anthropologist would study your answer for Q3 and