This summary will assist students in understanding the key concepts taught in the AGE1501: Introduction to Archaeology as well as provide a further understanding of the topics for the assignments and exams.
(To be used in conjunction with the UNISA supplied study guide).
UNISA
AGE1501 – INTRODUCTION
TO ARCHAEOLOGY
SUMMARY
IMPORTANT:
- This is a summary of UNISA’s semester 1 & 2 AGE1501 syllabus
- READ THROUGH YOUR UNISA STUDY GUIDE FIRST!
- Get an overview of the module and then study each topic individually
- use this guide in conjunction with the UNISA guide – it is not a substitute
- Ensure you understand the content of this module in order to pass.
,Learning Theme 1 – Beginnings
1.1 Antiquarians & other Stereotypes
- Images (Indiana Jones) and stories inform popular understandings of archaeology
- Hiram Bingham – discovered Macha Pichu, brought it it’s notoriety & helped raise the profile of
archaeologists & archaeology
Antiquarian – Latin – an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. Those who study
history with particular attention to ancient artefacts, archaeological and historical sites or historic archives
and manuscripts. (Wikipedia)
TOPIC BOX #1
- Archaeology as a field was only distinctive from the second half of the 19th century
- First forays -: 960-1279 – Chinese – Song Dynasty, Classical Historians of Roman Empire etc.
- Interest waned during the dark ages but “grew” during the rich of the Renaissance era
- Approach in all cases was usually “haphazard and unscientific”, attention was focused on the
objects not their context of history.
- Great loss of information in the early years of archaeology
Early 20th Century archaeology changed focus from the exotic object towards an interest in how the
object can be used to say something about the people who made and used them.
1.2 Modern Archaeology
Archaeology -:
Origins: Greek - Arkhaios = from antiquity & Logos = from word/ conversation
Meaning: the study of antiquity and refers in particular to the study of the antiquity of humans.
- Common points in all definitions of archaeology;
o The idea that archaeology involves the study of “material remains”
o Studies are undertaken using a particular method/ framework of enquiry.
1.2.1 The Central Role of “Things”
- Two principles
o ‘Things’/ material culture provide information about the makers and users of the item
o ‘Things’ are best understood when considered in context – we pay attention to where
things occur, and what they are associated with.
- Because human-made objects reflect society they allow archaeologists to understand culture.
- Archaeologists must always be ready to:
o Explain what they have done;
o Explain the assumptions they have made (if any), and
o Explain the conclusions they have drawn.
- Pseudoarchaeologists -: the fraudsters/ swindlers who create their own version of the truth
and find an audience among naïve, gullible members of the public.
TOPIC BOX #2
- Pseudoarchaeology – also known as ‘cult’, ‘fantastic’, ‘folk’ or ‘alternative’ Archaeology is applied
to views of the past that are at odds with mainstream academia.
- Varied and wide audience has grown due to media influence
- Story telling with very little fact, does not hold up under scrutiny
AGE1501
, Approaches
- Object-centred approach-: focuses on the object, describing it in detail, using physical attributes/
age/ uses etc.
- Object-driven approach-: seeks to understand the object as an expression of society that made or
used the item. (a “window” into the beliefs/ values of its society)
TOPIC BOX #3
1.2.2 The Scientific Method
- All archaeologists employs some version of ‘Scientific method’
- different "types “of scientific method;
o Some use scientific logic and reasoning are used explicitly to study and engage with the
past.
o Some mean that researchers use information and techniques from the natural/ biological
sciences to answer questions
- Douglas -: “A way of evaluating ideas to eliminate wrong ones by testing and retesting”
How archaeologists try to answer research questions
1. conducting field and laboratory work
2. by organizing and analysing resulting data
3. interpret with reference to the original question
It is not possible to ‘prove’ ideas and we are only able to disprove what is incorrect – better understanding
is the ultimate goal.
Blog Summary
- Archaeology is the forensic science of the past, using things to tell us how people lived.
- Material culture = things/ finds/ objects
AGE1501
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