Archaeology The Science of the Human Past

by Sutton, Mark Q

• ISBN13: 9780205881796
• ISBN10: 0205881793
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-16
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Illuminating the world of archaeology. Archaeologyconveys the excitement of archaeological discovery and explains how archaeologists think as they scientifically find, analyze, and interpret evidence. The main objective of this text is to provide an introduction to the broad and fascinating world of archaeology from the scientific perspective. Discussions on the theoretical aspects of archaeology, as well as the practical applications of what is learned about the past, have been updated and expanded upon in this fourth edition. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: Discuss the theoretical aspects of archaeology. Apply what has been learned about the past. Identify the various perspectives archaeologists have. Note: MySearchLab with eText does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab with eText, please visit: www.mysearchlab.comor you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with eText (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 020589531X / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205895311.

Author Biography

Mark Q. Sutton began his career in anthropology in 1968. While still in high school, he took advantage of the opportunity to participate in archaeological excavations conducted by the local Community College. He went on to earn a BA (1972), an MA (1977), and a Ph.D (1987) in anthropology. He has worked as an archaeologist for the US Air Force, the US Bureau of Land Management, various private consulting firms, and taught at a number of community colleges and universities. He taught at California State University, Bakersfield from 1987 to 2007 where he retired as Emeritus Professor of Anthropology. He now works for Statistical Research, Inc. in San Diego. Dr. Sutton works on understanding hunter-gatherer adaptations to arid environments but has also investigated entomophagy, prehistoric diet and technology, and optimal foraging theory. Dr. Sutton has worked at more than 120 sites in North America and has published over 160 books, monographs, and papers on archaeology and anthropology.

Table of Contents

In this Section:
1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

 

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BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Part 1:  What is Archaeology?

 

Chapter 1:    The Science of Archaeology

Chapter 2:    Backgrounds of Archaeology

Chapter 3:    The Development of Contemporary Archaeology

 

Part 2:  Obtaining Information About the Past

 

Chapter 4:    The Archaeological Record

Chapter 5:    Conducting Fieldwork

Chapter 6:    Classification and Analysis of Artifacts

Chapter 7:    Determining Time

Chapter 8:    Bioarchaeology: Human Remains

 

Part 3:  Interpreting the Past

 

Chapter 9:      Environment and Adaptation

Chapter 10:    Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence

Chapter 11:    Interpreting Past Cultural Systems

Chapter 12:    Understanding Culture Change

 

Part 4:  Public Achaeology

 

Chapter 13:    Cultural Resource Management

Chapter 14:    Archaeology in the Real World

 

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  FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Part 1:  What is Archaeology?

 

Chapter 1:     The Science of Archaeology

What Is Archaeology?  

The Branches of Archaeology  

Key Concepts in Archaeology 

Archaeology as Science 

The Importance of Archaeology 

 

Chapter 2:     Backgrounds of Archaeology

Ancient Archaeology  

Antiquarians  

The Discovery of Prehistory  

The Emergence of Professional Archaeology  

Developing the Outline of World Prehistory  

Political Influences in the History of Archaeology  

 

Chapter 3:     The Development of Contemporary Archaeology

Archaeology after World War II  

The Rise of Scientific Archaeology  

Expanding Theoretical Horizons  

Archaeological Frontiers  

Careers in Archaeology  

 

Part 2:  Obtaining Information About the Past

 

Chapter 4:     The Archaeological Record

Archaeological Sites 

Archaeological Evidence 

Site Formation and Transformation 

Preservation 

Recognizing and Recovering Evidence 

Ongoing Impacts on the Archaeological Record  

 

Chapter 5:     Conducting Fieldwork

Finding Sites  

Conducting Archaeological Surveys  

Excavating Sites  

Practical Aspects of Fieldwork  

Ethics in Archaeological Fieldwork  

 

Chapter 6:     Classification and Analysis of Artifacts

Classification and Typology  

Classifying Types of Artifacts  

Analyzing Artifacts  

 

Chapter 7:    Determining Time

What Is So Important about Time?  

Older or Younger? Relative Dating in Archaeology  

Real Time: Chronometric Dating  

 

Chapter 8:     Bioarchaeology: Human Remains

The Study of Human Remains: Getting to Know Past Peoples

Preserved Bodies  

Skeletal Remains  

Analytical Approaches in Bioarchaeology  

 

Part 3:  Interpreting the Past

 

Chapter 9:     Environment and Adaptation

The Environment  

Environmental Archaeology 

Human Biological Adaptation  

Human Cultural Adaptation 

Domestication and the Agricultural Revolution

 

Chapter 10:  Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence   

How Did People Make a Living? Subsistence 

Where Did People Live? Past Settlement Systems  

The Interplay between Subsistence and Settlement  

 

Chapter 11:   Interpreting Past Cultural Systems

How Can Archaeology Answer Anthropological Questions?  

Interpreting Past Social Structures  

Interpreting Past Political Organization  

Interpreting Past Belief Systems  

Remembering the Individual  

 

Chapter 12:   Understanding Culture Change

The Archaeology of Change  

Interpreting Evidence of Change  

Cultural Contact and Conflict  

 

Part 4:  Public Achaeology

 

Chapter 13:   Cultural Resource Management

The Impact of Population Growth and Development on Archaeology 

The Field of Cultural Resource Management  

The Role of Public Education in Archaeological Preservation

Cultural Resource Management among Traditional Peoples 

 

Chapter 14:   Archaeology in the Real World

Archaeology Today  

Archaeology and Politics  

Who Owns the Past?  

Learning from the Past: Applying Archaeology to Contemporary Problems

Archaeology and Computer Technology  

Archaeology, Mass Media, and Public Perception  

So What? The Significance of Archaeology