Chapter 4

Question 1

The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of strata,

Answer 1

the oldest layer is on the bottom

Question 2

Under what conditions are fossils most likely to form?

Answer 2

areas covered by volcanic ash

Question 3

What term refers to the study of the processes that affect the remains of dad animals?

Answer 3

taphonomy

Question 4

The utility of stratigraphy for dating purposes is based on the fact that

Answer 4

the depth and order of undisturbed soil strata reflect the age of their deposition

Question 5

Radiometric dating techniques available to anthropologists

Answer 5

establish a probable date for fossils by calculating radioactive decay in the specimen found or the rocks surrounding it.

Question 6

Paleoanthropologist Christopher Stringer once noted that “absence of evidence does not necessarily prove evidence of absence.” Why is this important to keep in mind when assessing the use of fossils to study the past?

Answer 6

The failure to find a fossil species in a particular place does not necessarily mean that it did not live there.

Question 7

Dendrochronology is an absolute dating method based on the comparison of tree-ring growth patterns and is also useful

Answer 7

because it provides information about climatic patterns in specific regions.

Question 8

The American Anthropological Association’s Code of Ethics

Answer 8

is designed to ensure that all anthropologists are aware of their obligations to the field of anthropology, the host communities that allow them to conduct their research, and society in general.

Question 9

Informed consent refers to

Answer 9

people’s agreement to take part in research after they have been fully informed about its purpose, nature, funding, procedures, and potential impact on them.

Question 10

The American Anthropological Association’s Code of Ethics is applicable only to research being conducted in the United States.

Answer 10

false

Question 11

Informed consent refers to people’s agreement to take part in research after they have been fully informed about its purpose, nature, funding, procedures, and potential impact on them.

Answer 11

true

Question 12

Paleopathology is the study of disease and injury in skeletons.

Answer 12

true

Question 13

The specialist among a team of scientists at an excavation site who focuses on the study of ancient plants through pollen samples taken from the site is most likely a

Answer 13

palynologist

Question 14

Digging according to arbitrary levels is quicker but less refined than digging according to the site’s stratigraphy.

Answer 14

true

Question 15

Flotation is a technique used by archaeologists to recover very small remains from an excavation.

Answer 15

true

Question 16

Experimental archaeologists try to replicate ancient techniques under controlled conditions.

Answer 16

true

Question 17

Historical archaeologists use written records to supplement the archaeological record.

Answer 17

true

Question 18

Advances in technology enable archaeologists to gather evidence that is not visible to the naked eye. One example of such microscopic evidence is the study of

Answer 18

phytoliths, microscopic crystals found in many plants that are inorganic and do not decay, which means that they can reveal which plants were present at a given site even when no other plant remains survive.

Question 19

Absolute dating uses stratigraphy to establish a time frame in relation to other strata.

Answer 19

false

Question 20

Paleopathology is the study of

Answer 20

disease and injury in skeletons from archaeological sites