Geoarchaeology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. An applied course on the contribution of earth sciences to the interpretation of archaeological contexts, this course consists of field, lab and lecture components. Reviews Quaternary geomorphology. Investigates site formation processes in different depositional environments and impacts on archaeological sites. Provides training in stratigraphic description and interpretation and archaeological dating methods and interpretations. Applies earth science fields and methodologies to archaeological problems. Field trips will be a required component of the course in order to complete field descriptions and sampling. TOPICS AND THEMES. The development of geoarchaeology; sediments and soils and their relevance to archaeological sites; stratigraphy; dating methods and archaeological applications; landscape reconstruction and geoarchaeological interpretations; depositional environments and site formation processes; remote sensing; geophysics. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to geoarchaeology. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or ANTH 204 and approval of instructor.