ANTH 428 - Methods in Archaeological Science

Credits: (4)
Prerequisite(s): ANTH 201
Domain (Anchored): CSI
Additional Domain (if applicable): NQR
This survey and lab course focuses on the application of scientific methods of analysis to archaeological materials, including stone, bone, coral, charcoal, plant remains, and other organic materials. The emphasis will be on the history of archaeological science within the discipline and current advances in physical science applications in archaeology. Topics to be covered include Dating Techniques (Relative and Absolute, with an emphasis on Chronometric techniques); Geomorphology, Soils Analysis, and Environmental Reconstruction; Compositional Analysis, Materials Analysis, and Technology; Microscopy and Provenance Studies; Experimental Archaeology and Use-Wear analysis. At least half of the course will involve hands on learning with archaeological materials and datasets in the lab.There will be 1.5 hours of lecture/class discussion and 1.5 hours of lab/discussion per week. Each week a main category of archaeological science will be presented to the class in a 1.5 hour lecture period by the instructor. As a group, we will spend a portion of class time completing archaeological problem sets on some of the weekly topic. In the 1.5 weekly laboratory sections, students will apply a variety of analytical methods during hands-on activities with diverse archaeological materials. Laboratory sessions will involve recording data both macroscopically and microscopically and use of statistical software packages (Excel) for interpreting results. Laboratory time will include trips to SWEM library and the Herbarium as well as hands-on activities.