Key terms and themes in southwestern archaeology
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 (esp. Bahn), during class, and during the field trip. If you have questions about any key terms/concepts, please ask in class. I will not "lecture" about these terms/concepts but will discuss them in context throughout the course.
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 and your highest score will count toward your final course grade. 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. Find a location with a strong internet connection to answer the questions.
archaeological culture
material correlates
stratigraphic analysis
strata
superpositioning
uniformitarianism
seriation
primary formation processes
secondary formation processes
dendrochronology
radiocarbon dating
provenience
excavation unit
matrix
features
artifacts
association
environmental conditions favoring the preservation of artifacts
sampling strategy
research design
probabilistic sampling
"Preservation Laws"
shovel-test pits
ground penetrating radar (GPR)
in situ
assemblage
diagnostic artifacts
survey
excavation
excavation units
relative dating methods
absolute dating methods
inference
AD, BC, BCE, CE, kya, mya
archaeobotany
experimental archaeology
ethnoarchaeology
bioarchaeology
ethnography
core
flakes
NAGPRA
repatriation
CRM (cultural resource management)
correlation vs. causation
remote sensing
midden
sherd
abandonment/depopulation
social transformation
residential kivas, great kivas
great houses
Ancestral Puebloan
Anasazi
Chaco
Hohokam
Patayan
Mogollon
Mimbres
Trincheras
Casas Grandes
Fremont
Sinagua
Colorado Plateau
Basin and range
Timeline: See Crow Canyon Site : focus on the big moving pieces (e.g., architecture, settlement patterns) not every detail but do know Basketmaker through the Spanish entrada dates.
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 and your highest score will count toward your final course grade. 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. Find a location with a strong internet connection to answer the questions.
archaeological culture
material correlates
stratigraphic analysis
strata
superpositioning
uniformitarianism
seriation
primary formation processes
secondary formation processes
dendrochronology
radiocarbon dating
provenience
excavation unit
matrix
features
artifacts
association
environmental conditions favoring the preservation of artifacts
sampling strategy
research design
probabilistic sampling
"Preservation Laws"
shovel-test pits
ground penetrating radar (GPR)
in situ
assemblage
diagnostic artifacts
survey
excavation
excavation units
relative dating methods
absolute dating methods
inference
AD, BC, BCE, CE, kya, mya
archaeobotany
experimental archaeology
ethnoarchaeology
bioarchaeology
ethnography
core
flakes
NAGPRA
repatriation
CRM (cultural resource management)
correlation vs. causation
remote sensing
midden
sherd
abandonment/depopulation
social transformation
residential kivas, great kivas
great houses
Ancestral Puebloan
Anasazi
Chaco
Hohokam
Patayan
Mogollon
Mimbres
Trincheras
Casas Grandes
Fremont
Sinagua
Colorado Plateau
Basin and range
Timeline: See Crow Canyon Site : focus on the big moving pieces (e.g., architecture, settlement patterns) not every detail but do know Basketmaker through the Spanish entrada dates.
