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Archaeology
For questions on the theory, method, and practice of studying past cultures and peoples.
1,920 Questions
What do archaeologists discover from ruins?
Archaeologists can discover valuable information about the culture, lifestyle, technology, and beliefs of past societies from ruins. By studying artifacts, remains, and structural remains, they can gain insights into how people lived, worked, and interacted in ancient times. These discoveries help to piece together the story of human history and evolution.
How do archaeologists know the village of Jarmo traded with other villages?
Archaeologists have found evidence of exotic goods, such as obsidian tools and shells, at the village of Jarmo that are not naturally found in the area. This suggests that trade networks were established with other villages to acquire these items, as they had to be brought from distant locations. Additionally, the presence of storage facilities and specialized craft items at Jarmo also supports the idea of economic interaction with neighboring communities.
Why does clay need more lime to neutralize its acidity than sand?
Clay has a higher percentage of acidic cations, such as aluminum and iron, which require more lime to neutralize compared to sand. Additionally, clay has a higher cation exchange capacity (CEC), meaning it can hold onto more nutrients and cations, requiring more lime to displace the acidic elements.
How an anthropologist or an archaeologist works in his or her field?
An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures, often conducting fieldwork through participant observation, interviews, and archival research. They may also analyze data to draw conclusions about human behavior and social structures. Archaeologists study past human cultures by excavating and analyzing material remains such as artifacts, buildings, and even human remains. They use a variety of technologies and methods to interpret and reconstruct past societies and their interactions.
What can artifacts people tell us about the present?
Artifacts can provide insights into the beliefs, values, and behaviors of current societies. They can also reveal information about technological advancements, cultural practices, and daily life in the present. By studying artifacts, researchers can gain a better understanding of contemporary human experiences and societal dynamics.
What does Stanley milgram's agency theory of obedience mean?
Milgram suggested that, when faced with legitimate authority, people enter an agentic state. That means that they act as an agent of the authority. All perceived responsibility is handed on to them. This means that a person may obey requests to do things that they would normally have objected to.
What are the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation on an excavation site?
The set of facts or circumstances surrounding a situation on an excavation site can include the location of the site, the type of soil or terrain being excavated, any underground utilities or structures present, the depth and dimensions of the excavation, the weather conditions, the presence of any hazardous materials, and the safety measures in place to protect workers and the public. These factors are important to consider in order to ensure the excavation is conducted safely and efficiently.
Which of these is not part of the dating process in archaeology?
Cultural practices and beliefs. These are important considerations for interpreting archaeological findings and understanding the context of the dating process.
Why did surpluses lead to the growth of trade?
Surpluses led to the growth of trade because excess goods could be exchanged or sold to acquire other goods that were scarce. This created a system of trade where different regions specialized in producing certain goods and then traded them for items they could not produce themselves. This allowed for the expansion of trade networks and facilitated economic growth.
What artifacts were most likely left behind by the Ubaid people?
The Ubaid people likely left behind artifacts such as pottery vessels with intricate designs, clay figurines depicting animals and humans, and mudbrick buildings. They are also known for using obsidian tools and jewelry made from shells and semi-precious stones.
How far is willard Ohio from anchorage?
Willard, Ohio is approximately 3,400 miles away from Anchorage, Alaska. The distance can vary depending on the specific locations within each city.
Borrow excavation is the process of removing soil or material from a site for use in another location. It is commonly used in construction projects to transfer material, such as soil or rock, from one area to another for purposes like filling a hole, leveling ground, or building roads. This method can help reduce transportation costs and environmental impact by utilizing materials already present on site.
Artifact is not a type of clothing. "Artifact" usually refers to an object or item with historical or cultural significance, typically found through archaeological digs or historical research. Clothing, on the other hand, refers to garments or attire worn by individuals for protection, modesty, or fashion purposes.
The land bridge theory suggests that during the last Ice Age, a land bridge formed between Siberia and Alaska due to lower sea levels, allowing for the migration of people from Asia to North America. This theory helps scientists explain how early human populations could have crossed into North America from Asia via this land bridge, known as Beringia.
How did archaeologists determine the age of the ancients mounds at caral?
Archaeologists determined this question by looking at the artifact and the age. BOSS!
How do history and archaeology contribute to the growth of tourism in Ireland?
Ireland has a long history, going back thousands of years. Sites such as Newgrange, which is over 5000 years old are major attractions. History that is a lot closer than that is still very evident. Through archaeology many remains of earlier times have been found. Dublin's Viking remains have been uncovered down through the years through archaeological digs. Ireland's museums have many artefacts that have been discovered by archaeologists, and more continue to be found. Many of Ireland's historical sites get large amounts of tourists every year, as do their museums.
Onondaga artifacts are objects or items that were created or used by the Onondaga people, who are one of the six Native American nations comprising the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. These artifacts can include traditional tools, pottery, clothing, artwork, and other cultural items that hold significance to the Onondaga.
What do archaeologists analyze?
Archaeologists analyze artifacts, structures, and other physical remains left behind by past human cultures to understand their lifestyles, beliefs, and interactions. They also analyze soil layers, ancient DNA, and other scientific data to reconstruct the history of a site or civilization.
How did the early humans reach North America South America and Antarctica?
Early humans likely reached North America by crossing the Bering Land Bridge during the last Ice Age. They may have traveled to South America by following the coastline or through inland routes. Antarctica was likely reached much later, potentially by seafaring populations navigating through the waters surrounding the continent.
What artifacts tell archeologists that trade was important to which group?
Artifacts like exotic goods, foreign pottery, or materials not locally sourced suggest that trade was important to a particular group. Additionally, the presence of trading posts or marketplaces can also indicate the significance of trade in a society.
The ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was located on an island in Lake Texcoco, where modern-day Mexico City now stands. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they destroyed much of the city and built Mexico City on top of the ruins, using the stones from the Aztec temples and buildings for their own construction. This is why archaeologists find evidence of the ancient Aztec capital in the center of Mexico City today.
What do you call an artifact with writing on it?
Parchment is animal skin and what was used to write on way back.
An artifact with writing is still an artifact to be more precise with your question. It consists of anything made by hand even with writing on it.
What do historians use artifacts for?
Historians use artifacts to understand the material culture of a particular time period or civilization. Artifacts provide valuable insights into the daily life, beliefs, and practices of past societies. They can also help historians verify or supplement written records and offer a more tangible connection to history.
Who were the first people in Afghanistan?
Thirty-four years ago, my husband and I departed for Afghanistan to work as teachers in the Peace Corps. Memories dim in 34 years, but certain images persist as clear as the sapphire-blue skies of Herat, where my husband, Bob, and I lived for 18 months.
I remember forbidding brown mud-and-straw walls facing the brown dusty alleys, giving no hint of the unexpected treasures within. Well-tended and irrigated gardens nurture spectacular pomegranate blossoms and some of the most luscious peaches in the world.
I remember traveling on the local mass transit, the ramshackle buses painted gloriously with delicate flowers and verses from the Koran. They were filled with veiled women, kids and men with their ever-present rifles; boxes and rugs and live chickens tied onto the roof. Before departing, the driver's assistant would jump on the back bumper and call out "borabakhai," signaling it was time to leave and entreating God's care for us on our trip. No journey would be begun without that exhilarating prayer that we all "go with God."
Once in a while in the bazaar, there were a few floating clouds with women's shoes protruding demurely. Some young women would confide that they didn't like wearing the "chaudry," but others admitted it gave them a certain amount of freedom. Some young girls, anonymous, could see and observe and even act kind of silly in their invisibility.
There was the exquisite Masjid-i-Jama (Friday Mosque) whose blue tiles mirror the sky and lovely tiled designs stood for centuries. And every day, five times a day, especially compelling and peaceful at dusk, coming from loudspeakers in its tower was the voice of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer.
Sometimes outside of town camped the "kuchis," the nomads who wander the desert. At their camp we sat in their black wool tent, sipping sweet tea and looking out at their sheep, which survived on the scrubbiest of grasses one can imagine. The women are leathered and, as with most of the Afghan people, it is impossible to guess their age. One carries a young child on her hip and extends her best hospitality to these odd-looking strangers.
There are the friends and students who invite us to their homes. Always there are mounds and mounds of rice, with hidden globs of chicken or mutton buried in them, plus numerous small dishes of local fruits and vegetables. No matter the wealth or poverty of the family, they extend gracious hospitality.
And there's Fatah. He was our cook, housekeeper and faithful helper. It was Fatah who went outside and shinnied up one of the big pine trees that lined the street near our house and cut off a couple of big branches so we could stick them in a vase and call them a Christmas tree. He did all kinds of things that he must have considered ridiculous or at least eccentric, but he did them with dignity and good humor.
And it was Fatah who had tears in his eyes as Bob explained to him that we were leaving Herat for a couple of weeks to go to the United States, because I had just received word on Herat's one community phone that my father had died suddenly of a heart attack. He took care of the house whenever we were gone. We always knew we could count on him and his quiet faithfulness.
Of course, all was not sweetness and light. There were the cripples, blind men and poor in ragged clothes in the streets. But they never begged. They were too proud for that. The entire country took pride in the fact that, while they were poor, they were not starving. They would never sacrifice their dignity in order to tug on a foreigner's clothes (or heartstrings) to obtain a few extra coins.
These are a few of the images of Afghanistan that I see in my mind and heart. I know many of the places -- the great Buddhas of Bamiyan, much of the city of Herat -- are now destroyed. I don't know if Fatah or any of the little girls or students I remember are alive. But I do know that people like them -- real people, good people -- must still exist.
While our war has just started, theirs merely continues. There has been no substantial peace in Afghanistan since the 1970s. The shelling and bombs just come from different sources.
No Afghans have committed acts of international terrorism. The Taliban save their terrorism for their own people. In an aberration of their praiseworthy custom of hospitality, they protect international terrorists. They won't give up bin Laden and his al-Qaida, and so the tragic drama plays out.
Some day, "inshallah" (God willing), there may be peace in this land. Yes, God, please bless America. But maybe you could spare a few blessings for the people of Afghanistan, too.
