KEY Archaeological terms and CONCEPTS
The study of archaeology and the past relies on a unique vocabulary. Learning this vocabulary expands what we understand about archaeology and allows us to develop a rich, interconnect network of knowledge. Below are the key terms/concepts you should know and be able to use as a result of taking this course. You will encounter many of them in your readings, during class, and during field work.
To solidify your understanding of these terms/concepts and demonstrate your competence with their use, you will have an opportunity to take a quiz. The quiz will be available for a limited period of time (see course schedule). You may take the quiz up to three times to maximize your points. This quiz is to be taken individually and without notes or other resources, such as the internet. The quiz is time limited to 30 minutes and will consist of multiple choice, true/false and/or matching questions. The quiz will also include questions from the readings. As the block progresses, the question bank for the quiz will also increase. The quiz will be offered online through Canvas.
excavation unit
matrix
features
artifacts
ecofact
association
context
stratigraphy and stratigraphic analysis
strata
activity area
material culture
material correlates
superpositioning
uniformitarianism
seriation
cultural formation processes
natural formation processes
dendrochronology
radiocarbon dating
archaeomagnetic dating
provenience
datum
environmental conditions favoring the preservation of artifacts
sampling strategy (e.g., judgmental, systematic, random, stratified)
research design
probabilistic sampling
"Preservation Laws"
shovel-test pits
ground penetrating radar (GPR)
in situ
assemblage
survey
excavation
relative dating methods
absolute dating methods
temper
inference
AD, BC, BCE, CE, BP, kya, mya
archaeobotany
experimental archaeology
ethnoarchaeology
ethnographic analogy
bioarchaeology
ethnography
core
flakes
use-wear
NAGPRA
repatriation
cultural resources
CRM (cultural resource management)
correlation vs. causation
remote sensing
midden
sherd
conservation archaeology
aeolian
alluvial
catchment area
ephemeral drainage
sheet wash (or sheet erosion)
bench (in geology)
mitigation
phase
lithic debitage
To solidify your understanding of these terms/concepts and demonstrate your competence with their use, you will have an opportunity to take a quiz. The quiz will be available for a limited period of time (see course schedule). You may take the quiz up to three times to maximize your points. This quiz is to be taken individually and without notes or other resources, such as the internet. The quiz is time limited to 30 minutes and will consist of multiple choice, true/false and/or matching questions. The quiz will also include questions from the readings. As the block progresses, the question bank for the quiz will also increase. The quiz will be offered online through Canvas.
excavation unit
matrix
features
artifacts
ecofact
association
context
stratigraphy and stratigraphic analysis
strata
activity area
material culture
material correlates
superpositioning
uniformitarianism
seriation
cultural formation processes
natural formation processes
dendrochronology
radiocarbon dating
archaeomagnetic dating
provenience
datum
environmental conditions favoring the preservation of artifacts
sampling strategy (e.g., judgmental, systematic, random, stratified)
research design
probabilistic sampling
"Preservation Laws"
shovel-test pits
ground penetrating radar (GPR)
in situ
assemblage
survey
excavation
relative dating methods
absolute dating methods
temper
inference
AD, BC, BCE, CE, BP, kya, mya
archaeobotany
experimental archaeology
ethnoarchaeology
ethnographic analogy
bioarchaeology
ethnography
core
flakes
use-wear
NAGPRA
repatriation
cultural resources
CRM (cultural resource management)
correlation vs. causation
remote sensing
midden
sherd
conservation archaeology
aeolian
alluvial
catchment area
ephemeral drainage
sheet wash (or sheet erosion)
bench (in geology)
mitigation
phase
lithic debitage
