LITHIC ANALYSIS (01-070-391) Rutgers University Spring 2010
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SYLLABUS LITHIC ANALYSIS (01-070-391) Rutgers University Spring 2010 Lecture days/hours: Thursday, 2:15-5:15 PM Lecture location: BioSci 206, Douglass Campus Instructors: Dr. J.W.K. Harris J.S. Reti, MA [email protected] [email protected] Office: BioSci, Room 203B Office: BioSci, Room 204C Office Hours: Friday 11:00 – 1:00 Office Hours: Thursday 1:00 – 3:00 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an integrated course that incorporates theoretical, behavioral, and practical aspects of lithic technology. Lithic Analysis is an advanced undergraduate course in human and non-human primate stone technology. Each student is expected to already have taken an introductory course in human evolution, primatology, and/or archaeology. Lithic Analysis is a sub-discipline of archaeology. The focus is on the inferential potential of stone tools with regard to human behavior. Early human ancestors first realized the utility of sharp stone edges for butchery and other practices. Arguably, without the advent of stone tools human evolution would have taken a different path. Stone tools allowed early hominins efficient access to meat resources and provided as avenue for cognitive development and three-dimensional problem solving. This course will provide a three-fold approach to lithic analysis: 1) study of archaeological sites and behavioral change through time relative to lithic technological changes, 2) insight into the art of laboratory lithic analysis and methods employed to attain concrete, quantitative behavioral conclusions, and 3) extensive training in stone tool replication. Such training will provide students with both an appreciation for the skills of our ancestors and with personal skills that will allow for further research into replication and human behavior. Each week the course will be structured with an introductory lecture, which may include or be followed by a lab demonstration by the instructor(s) and a concluding practical component involving all students. Therefore, this course builds on the rudimentary knowledge of students to focus on hands-on laboratory analysis and focused research projects. Instructors and student interns are conducting original research in this subject area and all enrolled class members will participate in this research seminar (both in seminar presentations, research design and implementation). This course format allows students to participate in actual experimental studies and to learn research design. Experimental work will be designed to learn more about the structure and function of the hand, arm, and shoulder and how that anatomy impacts stone tool function and design. Stone tools of differing size, weight, and shape will be utilized in experimental archaeological projects so that the influences of these different attributes can be quantified and recorded. Required and Recommended Texts - Supplemental Readings Required Text Flint Knapping by J.S. Whittaker This text is at the Campus Bookstore and can also be ordered from Amazon Recommended Supplementary Text 1) Making Silent Stones Speak, by Kathy Schick and Nick Toth (1993) There is one required text for this course. The text is very hands-on and gives a through background for the laboratory portion of the course. In addition to the required text there are several recommended books that we will be using during the semester. Copies of the books will be available for students to borrow short-term or to be read in the Holt Lab. Each of the recommended texts has important information to contribute to the course. One of the recommended texts is Making Silent Stones Speak, by Kathy Schick and Nick Toth (1993). This text explores in more depth the archaeological record for Human origins. In addition, there will be a series of published papers that comprise essential readings. In many instances, we will post these readings on the SAKAI web site for students’ convenience. Otherwise the readings will be placed in the Holt Laboratory for students to read. The readings are important as they supplement student’s readings from the required text in constructing essays as part of the mid-term exam (see below). Course and Student Objectives • To expand on student’s basic paleoanthropology knowledge by providing students with compressive knowledge of stone tool technology and stone tool analyses from a hands-on actualistic and experimental approach. • To enable students to produce and manufacture the basic tool types in the lithic sequence – Early Stone Age, Middle Stone Age, and Late Stone Age. Students should be able to describe general attributes, functional utility, and to quantify variables relating to various stone tools. Additionally students should be able to record and describe reduction sequences, thereby providing insight into technological approaches to stone tool usage. These technological classifications should supplement and provide students with insights that are different from the typological approaches students study in their introductory courses. • To introduce students to laboratory and hands-on analyses of archaeological materials, to teach through actualistic and experimental work the basic tenants of research design, methodology, and the communication of research results through the final term paper and presentation. • To undertake an experimental and actualistic approach to the uses and functions of tool technology for the performance of different tasks, such as chopping, pounding, etc. and for students to develop the ability to relate differing technology and functional usage to differing resource exploitation those gaining insight into changing diets of non-human primates and in human past. • To replicate, as well as study non-human primate (particularly chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys) use of tools (both stone and non-stone) as analogs useful for the acquisition and consumption of various nut and plant foods Course Requirements Evaluation Scheme: Midterm 20%, Final Term Paper 40%, Labs/Assignments/Notebooks/Quizzes 40% Students are expected to read all of the assigned readings. There will be a mid-term and a final term paper as well as ongoing laboratory assignments. Students must maintain a research notebook that includes class notes, lab notes, lab drawings and lab results. The mid-term exam will be comprised of multiple choice, short answer and essay-type questions. The essay titles will be given out in advance of the exam date but the exam is “closed book.” The term paper will take the form of an experimental research paper with a previous research review, development of a testable hypothesis, experimental methodology and design. A bibliography and research design outline will be reviewed and approved mid-semester. Because this is a hands-on class and we will be working with stone material and doing experimental work, students are required to purchase some additional equipment. Safety goggles and leather gloves must be worn during knapping exercises and an injury waiver must be completed before participating in labs. Safety goggles and Melvic Vernier calipers can be purchased from the instructors. A materials fee for stone may be assessed and students may need to assist in the collection of stone materials. Extra access time to Lab 315 will be provided as necessary to allow students to complete labs and special projects. Course Rules Attendance: Because this is an upper-level course, attendance and participation are required. You are expected to attend all class meetings. We cover a lot of material in class, all of which may appear on the exams and quizzes. You are allowed two excused absences during the semester; thereafter, you are required to have a Dean’s absence note for each subsequent absence (each unexcused absence will lower your grade by 10 points). If you know now that you will be missing a class because of a prior commitment, see me during the first week of classes. This will count towards your two excused absences. Make-ups for missed exams and quizzes will only be permitted with a Dean’s absence form. Policy on Religious Holidays: If you will be observing any religious holidays this semester which will prevent you from attending a regularly scheduled class or interfere with fulfilling any course requirement, I will offer you an opportunity to make up the class or course requirement if you make arrangements by informing me of the dates of your religious holidays during the first week of the semester. Academic Integrity: The Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences mandates that instructors immediately report all cases of suspected plagiarism and cheating to the Dean of Douglass College. All students must strictly adhere to the Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy For details see: http://ctaar.rutgers.edu/i.ntegrity/policy.html#Integrity Safety and Laboratory Housekeeping: Students must maintain a high level of safety while working in the lab. Students are not permitted to work alone on any flint knapping projects, must wear safety goggles and may only do experimental work when one of the course instructors or student teaching interns is present. Students must follow the instructors’ guidelines for bagging, labeling and data recordation. Students are also responsible for maintaining a clean working environment in the lab. Classroom expectations: • All cell phones must be turned off • Read the assigned readings before the class • No headphones or listening to music • Arrive on time Lithic Analysis: Course Outline Week 1 Jan. 21 Introduction - Syllabus: introduction to the course - Requirements - Safety - Texts