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Usefulness of Archaeology to history
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The relationship between archaeology and history is continually experiencing modifications, by reason of their historical development and altering research objectives. These particular scientific and academic studies are outlined with a high degree of overlap and a mutual dependence upon another (Tabaczynski 1993:1). Archaeology as a rule is created through the continual process of the deposition of artefacts created, transformed and discarded by humans. Archaeological material is the record of human presence and activities and thus a source of information of the social past. Historical texts however, are the discontinuous process of making information permanent with the objective being to impart the text with contemporaries and future masses. Where it is present therefore, historical texts can border into the assemblage of unceasing archaeological evidence (Tabaczynski 1993:3). In the medieval period, an abounding number of handwritten and printed documents were being preserved and with such an increase in the survival of documents, information is more identifiable with regards to...
The second question frequently asked regarding Schliemann’s legacy examines his motives and skill as an excavator: was Heinrich Schliemann a good archaeologist? This question has two sides. First, did Schliemann use the best techniques and technology available to him at time of his first excavation? Second, did he have the same values that other archaeologists have?
To identify the specific type, functions and time period of the artifacts, various archaeology books, reports, and journal were referred. The interpretation was then conducted by dividing the artifacts into different area on the map and investigating their relationships.
...ncyclopedia of Archaeology, Ed. Deborah M. Pearsall. Vol. 3. Oxford, United Kingdom: Academic Press, 2008. p1896-1905. New Britain: Elsevier, Inc.
(Within ancient manuscripts, the writing may be broken due to its fragileness; historians have to piece together some of the texts, because of missing words; therefore, translators place brackets […] in the areas, to indicate this lack.)
Marcoux’s professional background in archaeology provided him with new vocabulary that the layperson is unfamiliar with. Although this study is obviously geared toward academic and other professionals, is is advisable explain terms and concepts that apply specifically to southeastern archaeology. Basic archaeological terms like wares, temper, and even the research theory he approached were explained. However, he did not explain exactly why he chose a historical particularist approach, he simply justified his perspective with out explaining why other theories would not have been acceptable. Readers with archaeological theory background would note that a number of different theories would also fit this study, depending on how one would want to look at the data. Disputing other theories, or at minimum acknowledging there are other theories, would have strengthened his
Stephen Shennan's concern with how non-state agrarian societies have been characterized by archaeological studies in the past is well founded. Characterizing (and categorizing) non-state societies as stepping-stones evolving into future states is an outdated approach to these studies. The approach he proposed would focus on our understanding the archaeological record as the remains of social practices, rather than generalized social institutions. He refers to Bourdieu's theory of practice, and stresses the need to ground social archaeology in the micro-scale of day-to-day activities in our analyses. The study of long-term change, patterns of inequality, domination and resistance can be investigated through statistical analysis of the distributions of outcomes.
These leading anthropologists paved the way for Lewis Binford and his absolutely influential paper titled Archaeology as Anthropology in which Binfo...
Childs-Johnson, Elizabeth, Joan Lebold Cohen, and Lawerence R. Sullivan. (1996, November-December). Race against time. Archaeology.
SHA, and other archaeological societies, institutions, scholars and archaeologists find it hard to conduct or even to get involved in such shows that are produced for the entertaining of fans and also for gaining revenue. The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) is working on clearing-house project that will help in building public awareness about archaeology and the way it is practiced, therefore the project is seeking input from professionals and the interested public, in order to share and contribute information and
An important communication tool was utilized during the Neolithic time. Cave drawings are essential to archeologists today because it is man’s method to illustrate the story of evolution. The symbols, colors, and locations will catch the eye of many, but the ultimate question still remains. How do the cave and rock drawings connect to the prehistoric times? Why is it important? Where is it located? The importance of Art presents archeologist with a picture into the Past. From Cave and rock art, to the preservation of the paintings, to finally the meaning behind the art, archeologists then can discover how people lived and what it was like back then.
The Oriental Institute featured an exhibit focused on the development of ancient Middle East Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East 1919–20 January 12 - August 29, 2010. And this was the exhibit I found most intriguing and most i...
Verbal accounts of historical events have been disproven many times through scientific investigation. However, some have been reinforced as well with archaeological findings to back up verbal accounts. Unfortunately the credibleness and plausibility of verbal accounts have suffered leading to conflicts and disagreements over facts, both in the past and present day.
I shall gather various types of archaeological publications dealing with deviant burial. It is important to include differing types of publications to see if it affects the way in which deviancy is dealt with. I will then determine if any common patterns are apparent within the study of deviant burial. If common patterns are found, each one will be explored individually. Searching for specific statements within the texts, I will attempt to determine how the patterns relate to the interpretation of deviant burial. As I have not previously dealt with deviant burials, I will also briefly convey my interpretations – as a simulated intended audience reader – of the way in which deviancy is conveyed through the material. This will give a distinctive perspective as to how the true intended audience of the publications may view the evidence as presented by the archaeologists. A discourse analysis is never complete as there are too many aspects to ever fully dissect a subject (Dijk 2001; Phillips and Hardy 2002). However, it is my intent to try to examine deviant burial as thoroughly as this thesis permits, as well as to bring a unique point of view to the
Within the field of archaeology, migration theory has become somewhat of a fad, one in which it rises and falls in popularity as new information or tools are developed. While migration and archaeology often go hand in hand, particularly when discussing prehistoric populations, archaeologists often find it hard to incorporate migration studies into their research studies. The appropriate tools for incorporating migration seamlessly into research methods are still in their infancy. As a result, archaeologists often interoperate migration as something chaotic and poorly understood (Anthony 1990). It stands to reason that archaeologists are having such a hard time incorporating migration into everyday research when one comprehensive definition of Migration has yet to be reached (Willers 2008).
In world history, periodization can be extremely controversial due to the argument between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. Historians have different perspectives and opinions about these eras that make periodization a dilemma many historians face. In the Strayer book, it addresses reasons why periodization can be contentious in world history. “ Some historians identify ‘real history’ with writing and so dismiss the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras as largely unknowable because their peoples did not write.”(12) This means that some historians skip the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras because their people did not have written records. Therefore, they believe that the lack of writing during the eras means that it is unnecessary to inform others