Analysis of the Archaeological Record: California
This class involves the analysis of archaeological materials from one or more sites excavated by UC Berkeley archaeologists in the greater San Francisco Bay Area (Central California). The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic methods in the analysis of archaeological materials and associated archival documents, including artifacts (e.g., lithics, shell/bone artifacts, faunal remains, soil samples depending on the sites analyzed), maps, field notes, site forms, excavation reports, and photos, in order to generate interpretations about the sites. The ultimate goal is to develop a better understanding of the spatial distribution, chronology, ecology, site structure, and context of the sites. This will provide the necessary foundation to generate interpretations about the people who produced the sites and to address current research questions in California archaeology. Students will learn how to write a site report.
Students are required to attend six hours of lecture/laboratory sections per week. Grades will be based on participation in class, two mid-term exams, and a research paper (site report) on the archaeological materials being investigated. An oral presentation that summarizes briefly the results of your research paper will be delivered at the end of the semester. Grades will be calculated as follows: two mid-term exams (40% total), the research paper (50%), and participation (with possible surprise quizzes)(10%).
Course enrollment is restricted to declared Anthropology majors. Students must also have completed Anthro 2 or 2AC, Introduction to Archaeology (or its equivalent).
Required Text: Archaeological Laboratory Methods: An Introduction by Mark Q. Sutton and Brooke S. Arkush (Kendall/Hull Publishing). Additional required readings will be available on the course’s website on bSpace.