Since its first introduction and application to archaeology in the late-nineteenth and early- twentieth century during the classic evolutionary ideology era where it was heavily utilized to
establish the human origin of prehistoric artifacts (Shelley 1999), analogy has always held a
central role in archaeological thought. While in archaeological thought it functions on the base
of broad and generalized comparisons that are documented across many cultural traditions; in
anthropological practice as a whole, analogy is the reasoning based on the notion that if two
things are comparable in some values then they must be comparable in other values. It refers to
the structure which describes and attempts to explain the cultural processes
Although ethno-archaeology has been under severe criticism since the late-1980s
it can nevertheless be useful to archaeologists. Hole’s 1979 work is a success story of
ethnoarchaeology whereby his usage of ethnography on the Baharvand—Iranian pastoral
nomadic group—shows the beneficial aspects of using ethno-archaeology. His work had aimed
to help explain the issues of distinguishing nomads archaeologically, and consequently allow the
assessment of the role carried out by the pastoral nomads in the Near Eastern prehistory. Ethno- archaeology’s benefits to archaeological research have been outlined by Stark (2003) in form of
Near Eastern ceramics. She also calls for ethnoarchaeology to be seen as a research strategy than
of a sub-discipline of archaeology, and reasons that because archaeology is heavily dependent
on inferences reasoning, ethnoarchaeology and its data serves to build stronger archaeological
explanations, especially in oppose to commonsense explanations of culture. Ethnographic
Despite its abundant employment in archaeological thought time and time again,
FIRST EXAMINATION IN ARCHAEOLOGY
DAY II: RELATING THEORY TO RESEARCH
Archaeologists have recovered numerous Clovis
projectile points and chipped-stone tools in the New World. Archaeological evidence shows that
Clovis hunters were able to obtain these projectiles and chipped-stones from mammoths (Frison
1989). Together with analogues and given that mammoths and elephants are physiologically
comparable enough to make confident statements on the possibility of this type of stone tool,
Frison experimented with elephants in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe to test replicas of
Clovis tools and weaponry.
Apart from ethnographic, historic, and experimental analogues, there are general,
relational and specific analogues to consider in archaeology. Formal analogy is justified by
similarities in the formal attributes, hence the name, of archaeological and ethnographic objects
and features. Relational analogy explained on the basis of close cultural continuity between
the archaeological and ethnographic cases, while specific analogy is used in archaeological
interpretation based on specific comparisons documented within a single cultural tradition. Last,
general analogy is based on broad and generalized comparisons that are documented
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?
...ncyclopedia of Archaeology, Ed. Deborah M. Pearsall. Vol. 3. Oxford, United Kingdom: Academic Press, 2008. p1896-1905. New Britain: Elsevier, Inc.
Debate started to arise when an archaeologist by the name of Thomas D. Dillehay found artifacts of people existing 14,600 years ago, before Clovis, in Monte Verde, a site in southern Chile. These people slept in hide tents, had access to seafood and potatoes, and shared similar characteristics to other artifacts found in North Ame...
Archaeologists are trying very hard to understand the ethnographers. They do this because they want to understand just what it is that they are digging up, and the best way to find out is to ask the people who use them. Of course they are not perfect, and some archaeologists dig competitively (almost like tomb raiders), but overall, we can learn a lot about ancient people from the work of these two groups of scientists working together with the past and the present.
Different ancient cultures and societies had either great, somewhat considerate, or horrible treatment of women.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act established Indian nations as the owners of Native American cultural objects, including human remains, which were found on Federal land. It requires that the American Indians provide substantial amounts of information to validate their claims. However, only federally recognized tribes are recognized under this act, so if you are an unrecognized tribe good luck claiming anything that belongs to you. After this, the existing anthropological literature will be consulted. In some instances, Indians will disagree with the literature and take steps to correct it. Indians are also likely to provide additional information that had not yet been documented. The interpretations will be written from the perspective of the claiming tribe, how they view the world, and their perception of significance of objects in religious ceremonial rites. While some might raise the question of scientific objectivity, no one will deny that this perspective had often been lacking in the literature. These interpretations are bound to bring about new insights which will challenge earlier assumptions (5).
Desjarlais, R., & Throop, C. J. (2011). Phenomenological approaches in anthropology. Annual Review of Anthropology, 40, 87-102. doi: 10.1146/annurev-anthro-092010-153345.
Bibliography:.. Bibliography 1) Bloch, Raymond. The Etruscans, New York, Fredrick A. Praeger, Inc. Publishers, 1958. 2) Bonfante,. Larissa. Etruscan Life and Afterlife, Detroit, Wayne State University Press, 1986. 3) Grant, Michael.
Kathryn book Life in the Pueblo is based on excavations that she did at Lizard Man Village (Kamp, 1997). This was a small pueblo located in Arizona which is believed to be inhabited between 11th and 13th century. These ancient excavations were first carried out by United States Forest Service and were parts of Grinnell College field school (Kamp, 1997). The aim of the book was to describe Lizard Man Village and present excavation processes and analysis. Kamp 1997 offers archaeological interpretation of the site in relation to the past understandings. She bring out successfully three narratives. These narratives include ethnographic data in relationship to traditional accounts from Hopi (a place which is believed to be the first resident of Lizard Man) (Kamp, 1997). He also bring out clearly the issue of archaeology as well as fictional account basing it on both ethnography and archaeology.
the story in the Phillip Whitten and David E. K. Hunter anthropology book of No
Susan Lindee and Ricardo Santos’ goal was to understand the contexts of genesis and development of biological anthropology around the world from an international standpoint, focusing on engagement with living human populations. Their contributors, scholars in history of science, science studies, and anthropology, were guided by key questions about national histories, collections, and scientific field practice.
“Stonehenge is one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world on account of the sheer size of its megaliths, the sophistication of its concentric plan and architectural design, the shaping of the stones, uniquely using both Wiltshire Sarsen sandstone and Pembroke Bluestone, and the precision with which it was built.
It analyzes similarities and differences in various cultures and societies. Culture is learned and affects our perception of the world throughout our life. Overtime, a sense of cultural superiority is formed amongst individuals who are constantly exposed to their own culture. Anthropology can help eliminate culturally based biases, also known as ethnocentrism. It is a common practice we all in engage in when evaluating other cultures, however, by practicing anthropology this allows us to learn about other cultures by placing themselves into the cultural environment allows us to learn the traditions and customs by experience. Marjorie Shostak`s study of the !Kung people revealed that they organized themselves differently than Western cultures, which included solving conflicts with discussion, communal behavior, and basic living traditions. Moreover, by interviewing and living in this cultural environment, Shostak was able to empathize with the !Kung people and she also considered that all humans share an emotional life, which is important when studying the history of our human
For decades archaeologists believed that plants and animals were first domesticated in the near east (Israel, Lebanon, Syria, south west Turkey, Iraq, western Iran) early in Holocene (8000 to 10000 years ago). It is now possible to mount a challenge to this archaeological dogma about the domestication of plants and animals as evidence of that has been found in Afghanistan and Mehrgarh on the Kachi plains of Pakistan. The roots of sedentism and village farming community have been documented in the 7th millennium BC, at the site of Mehrgarh on the Kachi plains of the central Indus valley. Farming was successful here because it is thought that Pleistocene Indus River flowed in this area...
Foremost, the Nomadic People of the Paleolithic Age depends heavily on the moving herds of animals for food and sometimes even clothing. Therefore, nomads of Paleolithic Age follow their preys and move with them as the various animals migrates as the season changes through out the year. Even though the nomads' food source was usually abundant and finding of shelters were not much of a problem, but the ongoing journeys with the hunted animals provides little security against several other different big game predators, that preys upon both men and the animals nomads travel with.