Introduction to Archaeology

Catalog description

Archaeology involves the study of past societies, their practices, beliefs and behaviors as deduced through the excavation, analysis and interpretation of their material remains. We will explore specific cultures that may include the Aztecs, Maya, Incas, Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and specific sites that may include Teotihuacan, the Pyramids of Giza, Jericho, Gobekli Tepe, Uruk, Stonehenge and the Parthenon. This course is an introduction to the study of concepts, theories, data and models of anthropological archaeology that contribute to our knowledge of the human past. The course includes a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry; the history and interdisciplinary nature of archaeological research; dating techniques; methods of survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation; cultural resource management; professional ethics; and selected cultural sequences.