Introduction to Archaeology

Catalog description

Archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains and is of primary importance in reconstructing past human life ways that exist outside the realm of written record. Bridging the gap between the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, archaeologists integrate many types of evidence in order to shed light on the origins of our species. This course provides an overview of the methods, theories and models used by archaeologists to better understand past human societies, from the formulation of a research question, through the processes of survey and excavation, to the analysis of data, and the interpretation of the results. The many topics covered in the course include: excavation, interpretation, conservation, technology, cultural diffusion and evolution, and cultural heritage.