Final Flashcards
What is the difference between achieved and ascribed status?
Achieved status is a social position a person takes on voluntarily that reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Ascribed status is a position in a social system that is beyond an individual’s control. It is not earned, but rather is something people are either born with or had involuntarily.
What are the different types of societies that are found? (patrilineage, matrilineage)
Patrilineage societies trace their ancestry through the father’s line, while matrilineage societies trace their ancestry through the mother’s line.
How do we define the descent of these types of kinships? (patrilineal, matrilineal)
Patrilineal descent is a system of descent in which individuals trace their primary kin relationships through their fathers. Matrilineal descent is a system of descent in which individuals trace their primary kin relationships through their mothers.
How does this influence where they live? (type of residence, matrilineal, etc.)
In patrilineal societies, it is common for the family to live with or near the husband’s parents (patrilocal residence). In matrilineal societies, the family often lives with or near the wife’s parents (matrilocal residence).
What archaeological remains are important in reconstructing political organization, especially those involving inherited social inequities?
Important archaeological remains for reconstructing political organization include artifacts of power (like crowns, scepters, etc.), monumental architecture, burial goods and practices, and settlement patterns.
Understand the different gender roles. How can we find these within the archaeological evidence?
Gender roles can often be inferred from archaeological evidence such as grave goods, depictions in art, the distribution of labor tools, and skeletal remains.
How do we determine status from the archaeological evidence? (spacing of houses, etc)
Status can be determined from archaeological evidence through the size and location of houses, the presence of luxury goods, burial practices, and public monuments.
What can be used to determine the division of labor within an archaeological site?
The division of labor within an archaeological site can be determined through the distribution of tools, the presence of specialized work areas, and evidence of trade or exchange.
What are the different political organizations that are found? (clan, chiefdom, etc) How are these defined in the sites?
Different political organizations include bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. These can be identified in archaeological sites through settlement patterns, the presence of public works, the distribution of wealth, and evidence of social stratification.
What is cognitive archaeology? How is this determined? (symbols, figures, etc to determine their worldview)
Cognitive archaeology is the study of past ways of thought and symbolic structures through their material remains. This can be determined through the analysis of symbols, figures, art, and other cultural artifacts.
How do archaeologists study religion? (Symbols, iconography, structures, burials, etc)
Archaeologists study religion through the examination of religious symbols and iconography, the analysis of religious structures such as temples or shrines, the study of burial practices, and the interpretation of ritual objects and offerings.
What is cosmology? How does it apply to the study of religion?
Cosmology is the study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe. In the context of religion, it refers to a particular culture’s understanding of the universe and their place in it. This can be studied through myths, religious texts, and symbolic representations of the cosmos.
Theories for the creation of agriculture:
The creation of agriculture is a significant event in human history, and there are several theories about how it came about. One theory suggests that agriculture was a response to population pressure and the need for a reliable food supply1. Another theory, known as the Oasis Theory, proposes that agriculture arose in the fertile crescent during a period of climate change1. Yet another theory, the Hilly Flanks hypothesis, suggests that agriculture began in the hilly flanks of the Taurus and Zagros mountains, where the wild ancestors of today’s staple food crops were found1.
Theories for the origin of the archaic state:
The origin of the archaic state is a complex process that involved social, economic, and political transformations. Some theories suggest that states formed as a result of warfare and the need for organized defense2. Others propose that states arose from the need to manage complex irrigation systems or other public works2. Yet another theory, known as the hydraulic hypothesis, suggests that state formation was driven by the need to control and manage water resources2.
Three major areas of historical archaeology today:
Historical archaeology today encompasses a wide range of areas. One major area is the study of material remains of past societies that also left behind some other form of historical evidence3. This includes cultural landscapes, archaeological sites, historical records, and spiritual places3. Another major area is cultural resource management (CRM), which involves managing heritage assets and other cultural resources4. CRM incorporates Cultural Heritage Management, which is concerned with traditional and historic culture, and also delves into the material culture of archaeology4. A third major area is the study of the black market trade of antiquities and the role of cultural resource management in combating this issue5.
