World Archaeology

Catalog description

This introductory course discusses the basic philosophy and methods of archaeology, and provides an introductory survey of archaeological excavations and discoveries in the Near East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with an emphasis on understanding how societies changed and developed during the unwritten periods of human history. Beginning with the evolution of the first human ancestors nearly seven million years ago, topics will include the evolution of the earliest human societies, the development of lifeways based on domesticated plants and animals, and the emergence of complex societies. Along the way, students will also have a chance to use archaeological methods to make sense of material remains in their own society.