Anthro FE Flashcards
What are the key factors that influence how objects are produced?
Key factors include:
• Materials Available: The type and quality of materials influence production capabilities.
• Tradition and Culture: Cultural practices and learned techniques affect how objects are made.
• Individual Skills: The maker’s skill level determines the complexity and quality of the final product.
What is diffusion in the context of trade and exchange?
Diffusion refers to the movement of ideas and objects across distances without the physical movement of people.
This can occur through trade or cultural exchanges, where individuals adopt ideas or styles they encounter in different locations.
How does migration differ from diffusion?
Migration involves the physical movement of people who bring their objects and ideas to new locations. In contrast, diffusion does not require people to move; instead, it involves the spread of ideas and objects through trade or observation.
Migration is characterized by the relocation of individuals, while diffusion is about the transfer of concepts.
What are the three main explanations for how an artifact might appear in an archaeological context?
- Local Production: The object was made locally, potentially mimicking styles from elsewhere.
- Non-Local Import: The object was produced in another location and brought to the site through trade or migration.
- Independent Invention: The object was independently created by local people without direct influence from other cultures.
These explanations help archaeologists understand the cultural and economic interactions of past societies.
What role did Chaco Canyon play in the context of trade?
Chaco Canyon was a significant trading hub in the American Southwest, associated with social complexity and elite activities.
Goods found included luxury items like cacao cylinders and parrot feathers, traded from distant regions.
What does the study of ostrich shell beads tell us about cultural preferences?
Analysis shows size differences between regions, suggesting cultural preferences. Larger beads in eastern Africa versus smaller ones in southern Africa may reflect differing aesthetic values or social practices.
Similarities in bead size may indicate cultural exchange.
How did the production of flint daggers in Denmark reflect cultural influences?
Flint daggers emulated the style of prestigious bronze daggers from other regions, indicating local producers sought to replicate fashionable items using available materials.
This reflects a desire for status and external style influence.
What are makers marks and why are they significant?
Makers marks are unique identifiers that signify authorship on objects. They help trace the origin of artifacts, understand production practices, and provide insights into trade relationships.
How can form and decoration of an object help in understanding its cultural context?
The form and decoration reflect aesthetic preferences and cultural traditions, allowing archaeologists to identify cultural origins and influences.
What role does technological analysis play in the study of artifacts?
Technological analysis examines materials and manufacturing techniques, revealing artisans’ skill levels, resource availability, and trade practices.
What is the significance of chemical composition analysis in archaeological studies?
Chemical composition analysis helps trace material origins, determine trade routes, and understand cultural interactions based on materials at archaeological sites.
What insights do the Terracotta Soldiers provide about ancient Chinese society?
The Terracotta Soldiers exemplify wealth, artistry, and organizational capabilities, indicating a complex system of labor and quality control in their production.
How can the study of trade artifacts inform us about early economic systems?
Clay balls and associated tokens likely served as early record-keeping and contracts, indicating a system of trade and accountability in economic transactions.
What are ‘Egyptianizing artifacts,’ and why do they matter?
‘Egyptianizing artifacts’ are objects that mimic Egyptian styles, reflecting ancient Egypt’s cultural influence and showcasing cultural emulation and exchange dynamics.
What forms of currency were used during the Shang Dynasty in China?
Forms of currency included cowry shells, spade coins, and knife coins, indicating a complex economic system with regulated trade.
Different regions developed their own currencies to facilitate exchange.
How does the Indus Valley civilization’s trade network reflect its connections with other cultures?
The Indus Valley civilization engaged in extensive trade with regions like Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf, evidenced by trade goods such as carnelian beads and copper.
What are some possible explanations for finding an artifact that looks strange or out of place?
Possible explanations include:
• The artifact was brought from another location, possibly through trade or migration.
• It may have been produced locally but inspired by external styles or ideas.
• It could represent an independent invention that coincidentally resembles other artifacts.
• It might simply be a coincidence, as similar designs can emerge independently in different cultures.
How can ideas influence the production of artifacts in different cultures?
Ideas can spread through diffusion, where cultures adopt and adapt styles or technologies they find appealing. For example, a society might create tools or art inspired by another culture’s aesthetics, leading to locally made items that reflect external influences.
What role do makers marks and seals play in understanding trade and ownership of artifacts?
Makers marks and seals serve as identifiers of ownership and provenance. They help archaeologists trace the origin of artifacts, understand trade relationships, and indicate the presence of administrative systems for regulating trade and ownership.
What does the presence of different types of currency indicate about a society’s economy?
The presence of various forms of currency suggests a lack of central authority and a more localized trade system. As societies evolve, the consolidation of currency types often indicates the emergence of centralized governance and standardized economic practices, as seen with the Qin Dynasty in China.
How can chemical analysis help in tracing the origins of artifacts?
Chemical analysis, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), allows researchers to identify the unique chemical signatures of materials. This helps determine the source of artifacts, as many materials come from specific locations with distinct compositions, enabling archaeologists to track trade routes and material movement.
What is down-the-line trade, and how does it affect the distribution of materials?
Down-the-line trade refers to a system where goods are passed along from one trader to another over distances. This process typically results in a ‘falloff curve,’ where the quantity and quality of materials decrease the further they are from the source, making it a useful model for understanding trade dynamics.
Can you provide an example of symbolic exchange and its significance?
An example of symbolic exchange is the practice of dowry in marriage, where goods are exchanged to symbolize the strength of a relationship. Such exchanges often carry deeper social meanings beyond mere economic transactions, emphasizing status, alliances, or cultural values.
