ANTH 343 Archaeological Field and Laboratory Methods
Fall 2010 TR 12-1:15
 Instructor: Dr. Renee B. Walker
Office: 312 Fitzelle
Office Hours: TR 2:30-4:00
Email: walkerr@oneonta.edu

Course Objectives

This course introduces students to methods archaeologists use to excavate, identify, preserve, analyze, and interpret archaeological remains. The course integrates lectures with field trips and laboratory analysis. Topics include: field survey methods; excavation methods; and laboratory analysis of lithics, pottery, flora and fauna, and other evidences of material culture. Emphasis is on using these materials to gain greater insight into past cultures based on archaeological investigation. Time outside of class will be needed for local field trips.Prerequisite: ANTH 140.

Participation

             You are expected to participate fully in all class discussions, field and laboratory research.  This participation includes completing assigned readings before each class meeting and regular attendance for field and laboratory activities.  Your participation grade will also be based on summarizing two of the readings throughout the semester and posing two discussion questions to the class.

Assignments

             The assignments for this course will include two written assignments (3-5 pages) on the readings and will be due throughout the semester.  In addition, there will be two laboratory assignments.  

Grades

Final grades will be calculated according to the following:
100 points-Participation
100 points-Two Writing Assignments
200 points-Two Lab Activities
100 points-Artifact Data Analysis and Oral Presentation
500 points-Total

Course Text & Readings

Peregrine, Peter N. Archaeological Research: A Brief Introduction, 2001

Readings on Reserve on Angel

Reserve Readings:

Adovasio, J.M., J. Donahue, and R. Studkenrath
1990     The Meadowcroft Rockshelter Radiocarbon Chronology 1975-1990.  American         Antiquity, 55(2): 348-354.

Bleed, Peter, and Robert Nickel
1989    Optimal Management of Archaeological Collections.  Curator, 32(1):26-33.

Kelly, Robert
1988    The Three Sides of a Biface.  American Antiquity, 53(4):717-734.

Lynott, Mark, and Alison Wylie, eds.
1995    Ethics in American Archaeology: Challenges for the 1990s, pp. 17-53.  Society for                       American Archaeology Special Report.

Schiffer, Michael
1983     Toward the Identification of Formation Processes.  American Antiquity, 48(4):673-706.

Smardz, Karolyn E.
1997    The Past Through Tomorrow: Interpreting Toronto's Heritage to a Multicultural Public.       In Presenting Archaeology to the Public: Digging for Truths, edited by John H. Jameson,         pp. 101-113. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.

Sutton, M.Q. and B.S. Arkush
1998    Archaeological Laboratory Methods.  Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Iowa. 
            Chapter 6-Ceramic Analysis
            Chapter 9-Historical Artifacts
            Chapter 12-Human Remains