Introduction to Archaeology and Archaeological Theory

What the resources cover

The page opens with the broad picture. The mind map Intro to Archaeology sets out the goals of modern archaeology: cultural history, reconstructing past lifeways, documenting and explaining cultural change, and stewardship. The note The Principles of Archaeology describes the duties of an excavation team, from the director to the site supervisor.

Further maps go into social archaeology. Social Archaeology: Social Differentiation looks at gender, age, ethnicity, status and specialism, and how they show up in clothing, adornment and grave goods. Another map covers bands, chiefdoms and states, along with migration and population health.

Burial, sites and theory

Two maps, Human Burials and Burial Practises, cover graves, cists, tombs and the point that only a fraction of the dead are ever found. The flashcard deck Archaeology Sites lists places such as Uruk, Giza, Newgrange and Great Zimbabwe. Many maps also cover archaeological theory and material culture, so you can compare how different students summarised the same topic.

Where to start and in what order

1. Read the Intro to Archaeology mind map for the overview.
2. Skim The Principles of Archaeology to see how a dig is run.
3. Move to the social archaeology and burial maps.
4. Work through the theory and material culture maps.
5. Finish with flashcards and quizzes.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then close it and try a quiz such as What is Archaeology? - Quiz or Mollusks and Other Shells. Note what you missed, go back to the matching map, and try again. The deck Terminology I should be able to define/explain is handy for terms such as taphonomy, sedentism and Clovis Points.

Where this sits

This unit belongs to the Archaeology strand of Anthropology. It suits university students most, with some material for school students, and teachers can use the maps as ready-made starting points. Choose one resource today and see where it takes you.