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103

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Simon Fraser University (SFU )

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1. Introduction to Archaeology
Definition and Scope:

Archaeology is the scientific study of human history through the excavation and analysis of
material remains. It involves recovering artifacts, structures, and other physical evidence to
understand past human behavior and cultural practices.

Methods and Techniques:

Excavation:

● Stratigraphic Excavation: Involves digging through successive layers (strata) of soil to
understand the chronological sequence of deposits.
● Site Survey: Systematic approach to identify and map archaeological sites through
techniques such as pedestrian surveys and remote sensing.

Dating Methods:

● Radiocarbon Dating: Uses the decay of carbon-14 in organic materials to determine
the age of artifacts up to about 50,000 years old.
● Dendrochronology: Analyzes tree ring patterns to date wooden objects and structures,
providing precise dating for recent millennia.
● Potassium-Argon Dating: Measures the ratio of potassium to argon in volcanic rock
and ash to date early hominid fossils and archaeological deposits.

Key Concepts:

● Context and Provenience: The spatial and chronological relationship of artifacts to their
surroundings and to other artifacts, crucial for understanding their significance.
● Site Formation Processes: Natural and human activities that affect how sites are
created and preserved, including erosion, sedimentation, and construction.

2. Introduction to Anthropology
Definition and Scope:

Anthropology is the study of humans, including their biological and cultural development. It
explores human diversity across time and space through various sub-disciplines.

Branches:

● Cultural Anthropology: Examines contemporary cultures and societies through
fieldwork and ethnography, focusing on social practices, beliefs, and customs.
● Biological Anthropology: Investigates human evolution, genetics, and biological
variation, studying fossils, primates, and human adaptation.
● Linguistic Anthropology: Studies language use, structure, and social context,
exploring how language shapes identity, communication, and culture.
● Archaeological Anthropology: Looks at past human societies through material
remains, integrating archaeological methods with anthropological theory.

, 3. Human Evolution
Early Hominins:

● Australopithecus: Early hominins showing both ape-like and human-like traits, with
species such as Australopithecus afarensis known for bipedalism and tool use.
● Homo habilis: One of the first members of the genus Homo, marked by increased brain
size and the use of Oldowan tools.

Key Species:

● Homo erectus: Exhibited significant advancements, including the use of fire and
migration out of Africa. Known for larger brain size and more complex tools.
● Neanderthals: Close relatives of modern humans with robust physiques and
adaptations to cold climates. Evidence suggests they had complex social behaviors and
interactions with early Homo sapiens.
● Homo sapiens: Modern humans with advanced cognitive abilities, complex language,
and cultural practices. They developed art, technology, and complex social structures.

Evolutionary Milestones:

● Bipedalism: Adaptation to walking on two legs, which influenced social behavior, tool
use, and environmental adaptation.
● Tool Use: Development of increasingly sophisticated tools for hunting, gathering, and
processing resources, reflecting cognitive and technological evolution.
● Language: Emergence of complex language capabilities, enabling advanced
communication, cultural transmission, and social organization.

4. Prehistoric Cultures
Stone Age:

● Paleolithic: Earliest period marked by the use of simple stone tools and a hunter-
gatherer lifestyle. Notable for cave art, such as the Lascaux paintings, and
advancements in tool technology.
● Mesolithic: Transitional phase characterized by improvements in tool technology and
gradual shifts towards more settled lifestyles, including semi-permanent settlements and
early agriculture.
● Neolithic: Marked by the advent of agriculture, domestication of animals, and the
establishment of permanent settlements. This period saw the development of complex
societies and early urbanization.

Bronze Age and Iron Age:

● Bronze Age: Defined by the use of bronze tools and weapons, advances in metallurgy,
and the rise of early civilizations and trade networks. Notable for the emergence of
writing systems and complex societies.
● Iron Age: Characterized by widespread use of iron tools and weapons, leading to further
technological advancements and the rise of empires. This period saw significant cultural
and social changes, including the development of large-scale societies and states.

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