MODULE #8: BACK FROM THE FIELD: TYPOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
6-8 hours
A. Overview: In this module the student will learn about the principal technologies used by ancient human societies and some of the ways archaeologists study them. They will learn about the objectives of archaeological classification as a way to organize data into manageable units, to describe types, and to identify relationships among types. Students will learn that the purpose of classification is to assist in determining the culture history of a society. Culture history in archaeology is based on classification of artifacts and assemblages, defined as associations of artifacts that are thought to be contemporary.
B. Objectives:
1. Describe the steps of artifact analysis.
2. Differentiate between on site and laboratory artifact analysis.
3. Demonstrate the use of classification, typology, and types in artifact analysis.
4. Recognize stone, clay, metal, bone, wood, basketry, and textile technology.
C. Principles:
1. Basic archaeological skills: how to analyze and classify artifacts
2. Real world problem solving: how classification is used in every day life
3. Communication: compilation of data
4. Ethics: honesty in data reporting
D. Instructional Procedures: This module is primarily lecture and student activity. Throughout the lecture, students are asked questions to ensure they are grasping the concepts introduced. It is important to tie in real world experiences to the content, so the questions ask the students to think of some of the concepts in the context of today’s world. Powerpoint is useful to help identify concepts but the lecture can be taught with traditional technology (whiteboard, etc.).
E. Assessment: Students will be assessed by the in-class activity on classification.
F. Lecture Outline:
1. How is artifact analysis conducted
2. Data processing (p. 229, Fagan; Figure 8.1)
3. Describe the methodology of classificationa. Depends on the problem being studied
b. Four objectives: organize data into manageable units, describe types, identify relationships between types, study assemblage variability in archaeological record
c. Define attributes (physical characteristics used to distinguish one artifact from another): stylistic, form, technological
d. How to create a typology (classification that permits comparison and is replicable)
e. Define types: descriptive, stylistic, technological, functional, chronological
f. Define assemblages-have students consider examples4. Identify and describe lithic artifacts: stone tools, debitage, experimentation, petrology, use wear
5. Identify and describe ceramic artifacts: form and function, stylistic, technology
6. Identify and describe metal artifacts: metallurgy, technology
7. Identify and describe organic artifacts: bone, wood, basketry, textiles
8. Identify and describe ecofacts: floral, faunal, bone
9. Identify and describe featuresa. Constructed (structures)
b. Cumulative (quarry, midden)10. Data analysis: how data is compiled, analyzed, and reported
G. Activities: Ceramic classification; show archaeological materials in class
H. Readings: Fagan, Chapter 8