ANTH 16L: BASIC ARCHAEOLOGY LABORATORY
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Units: | 1 |
| Hours: | 3 laboratory per week (36 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | UC transferability is limited to 3 units maximum for ANTH 16L, 17L & 18L; not open to students with credit in ANTH 8L. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU/UC |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will practice and apply understandings of archaeological laboratory methods and techniques of archaeology, including cataloging, care and analysis of artifacts, bone recognition, and archaeological excavation.
- Students will learn how to critically analyze and interpret laboratory data gathered from archaeological fieldwork.
- Students will apply anthropological principles for solving human problems on the local, regional and world scales.
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. identify, record, and define artifacts.
B. describe the methods and techniques of laboratory research in archaeology.
C. explain the relationships between artifacts and the reconstruction and understanding of prehistoric culture.
Course Content
A. Introducing artifact types
B. Processing of artifacts from collections
C. Classification and typology
D. Introduction to archaeological projects currently being analyzed
E. Beginning materials analysis
F. Database formation: Access vs. Excel
G. Chipped stone technology
H. Ceramics
I. Pottery production
J. Pottery analysis
K. Historic artifacts: metal and glass; pipe stems
L. Shells
M. Illustration: drawing/drafting
N. Osteology and zooarchaeology (animal remains)
O. Forensics
P. Geophysics: ground penetrating radar
Q. Flotation and paleoethnobotany (plant remains)
R. Perishables: basketry, textiles, wood, hides, and others
S. Relational databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
T. Building artifact databases for analysis
Lab Content
A. Introduction to artifact types
B. Processing of artifacts from collections
C. Classification and typology
D. Beginning materials analysis
E. Database formation: Access vs. Excel vs. Google Docs
F. Chipped stone technology
G. Ceramics
H. Pottery production
I. Pottery analysis
J. Shells
K. Illustration: drawing/drafting
L. Historic artifacts: metal, glass and pipe stems
M. Faunal analysis: zooarchaeology (animal remains)
N. Flora analysis: plant remains
O. Flotation and paleoethnobotany
P. Perishables: basketry, textiles, wood, hides, and others
Q. Relational databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
R. Building artifact databases for analysis
S. Student projects: materials analysis
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access, on-going access to computer with email software and hardware; email address.
Method(s) of Evaluation
A. Ability to learn and practice archaeological skills in laboratory and sites
B. Skill in excavating and recording information
C. Discussion of work performed
D. Written report
E. Weekly examinations of different subjects
Method(s) of Instruction
A. Lecture
B. Discussion
C. Oral presentations
D. Laboratory
E. Demonstration
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Sutton, Mark, and Brooke Arkush. Archaeology Laboratory Methods: An Introduction. 6th ed. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2014.
NOTE: Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Weekly examination of different subjects.
B. Using real data students conduct independent research assignments on data collected from field projects and present preliminary analysis of artifacts.