COMMON COURSE OUTLINE FOR: ANTH 1235, FIELD

COURSE DESCRIPTIO:

Anthropology 1235: Field Archaeology: Methods of Exploring the Past 3 semester credits Prerequisites required: None Recommended: Eligible for ENGC 1101; eligible for READ 1106 MnTC Goals: 5 (History & the Social & Behavioral ), 9 (Ethical and Civic Responsibility)

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide an introduction to field and laboratory archaeology. The course covers the full scope of the scientific methods used to locate, excavate, analyze and interpret the material evidence of vanished prehistoric . Particular focus will be given to field work, including an intensive two-day excavation of a Native American site in southwestern Minnesota. The laboratory component will also include hands-on interaction with artifacts, interpreting, and cataloging materials recently recovered by teams from Normandale. FALL, SPRING, SUMMER, MnTC Goals 5, and 9.

DATE LAST REVIEWED: August, 2018

OUTLINE OF MAJOR CONTENT AREAS:

1. The scope and mission of archaeology 2. The concept of context 3. The tools and techniques of field excavation 4. Archaeological surveying 5. Relative dating methods 6. Absolute dating including radiometric methods 7. Bio-archaeology and the reconstruction of prehistoric ecology 8. Genetic and forensic analysis of remains 9. Lithic tools and stone knapping 10. Ancient material technologies: ceramics, metallurgy and building materials 11. Symbolism and archaeo-astronomy 12. History and prehistory in southwestern Minnesota 13. and legal requirements; The NAGPRA Act. 14. Interpreting and cataloging artifacts 15. Introduction to curation software (PastPerfect)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students completing this course should be able to:

1. Know and be able to explain the of field archaeology including the methods used to and excavate sites, the recording and analysis of data, and the interpretation of evidence. (Goals 5abcd) 2. Demonstrate the ability to identify, characterize and catalog artifacts in a laboratory setting. (5ac) 3. Define and be able to apply many of the scientific methods used to determine the age of ancient materials. (Goals 5ac) 4. Know and be able to explain the material technologies of ancient cultures including stone tools, pottery, early metals, and building materials. (Goal 5abcd) 5. Know and be able to summarize the history and of Native American peoples in southwestern Minnesota. (Goal 5abc) 6. Know and be able to apply the legal and ethical obligations of archaeologists in the United States, specifically addressing the responsibilities to and sensitivity toward Native Americans and their culture. (Goal 9abcd) 7. Demonstrate the application of commercial museum curation software to catalog archaeological artifacts. (Goal 5a)

ASSESSMENT

Objective exams, a research essay, and subjective instructor assessment of techniques and field records will be used to evaluate students. Other graded assignments or projects may be given as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Grading will be based on the following:

Objective examinations (two) 30% Research essay 20% Laboratory and field school participation 50% Field notebook 10%