Prehistoric Archaeology of Africa (with emphasis on the Turkana Basin)

Catalog description

Tools changed early humans from one among many African primates to the equivalent of a global geological force. Stone tools and other technologies enabled early hominins to become the first organisms that could purposefully change their environment to suit their needs. This course traces the development of human technology where it first appears, in Eastern Africa, more than 3 million years ago. Course topics include the cognitive abilities of early humans implied by their technologies, early human adaptation and social behavior, and the inter-relationships between stone tool technology, paleoecology, and hominin biological evolution. Lectures and practical exercises teach students how to document the archaeological record and how to use it to test hypotheses about early human behavior. Field excursions teach archaeological survey and excavation techniques. Students conduct research and report their findings in writing and in oral presentations. Evaluation is based on quizzes, a final exam, group projects, a research paper, and participation. This course is taught in Kenya during the Turkana Basin Institute Field School Study Abroad program.