Final Exam Flashcards
1
Q
How do artifacts get out of place?
A
Through diffusion, migration, independent invention, etc.
2
Q
Why an artifacts look out of place?
A
- they were made locally in a way that coincidentally resemble a foreign style
- they were made non-locally then imported
- they were made locally by ppl from another place who moved there
- they were made locally by ppl emulating non-local styles
3
Q
What do you know about the Chaco Canyon in New Mexico?
A
- it was abandoned around 1140CE
- large communal structures and luxury goods
- was were wealthier ppl lived
4
Q
What is cacao?
A
Chocolate
5
Q
The nearest source for cocoa was 2,400 km south in coastal Mexico. How could it have gone to Cacao?
A
It could have been made non-locally then imported.
6
Q
What were the elite activities at Chaco?
A
- cacao residue in jars
- nearest source was 2,400 km south in coastal Mexico
- macaw feathers
- cultural influence, the cups with Aztec like designs
7
Q
What were ostrich eggshell beads?
A
Beads made in Africa used for personal adornment.
8
Q
A
9
Q
What are scarabs?
A
10
Q
Question 1:
A
11
Q
What are some key factors that influence how objects are produced?
A
12
Q
Answer:
A
13
Q
Key factors include:
A
14
Q
• Materials Available: The type and quality of materials influence production capabilities.
A
15
Q
• Tradition and Culture: Cultural practices and learned techniques affect how objects are made.
A
16
Q
• Individual Skills: The maker’s skill level determines the complexity and quality of the final product.
A
17
Q
Question 2:
A
18
Q
What is diffusion in the context of trade and exchange?
A
19
Q
Answer:
A
20
Q
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
A
where individuals adopt ideas or styles they encounter in different locations.
21
Q
Question 3:
A
22
Q
How does migration differ from diffusion?
A
23
Q
Answer:
A
24
Q
Question 4:
A
25
What are the three main explanations for how an artifact might appear in an archaeological context?
26
Answer:
27
1. Local Production: The object was made locally
potentially mimicking styles from elsewhere.
28
2. Non-Local Import: The object was produced in another location and brought to the site through trade or migration.
29
3. Independent Invention: The object was independently created by local people without direct influence from other cultures.
30
Question 5:
31
What role did Chaco Canyon play in the context of trade
and what types of goods were found there?
32
Answer:
33
Chaco Canyon was a significant trading hub in the American Southwest
associated with social complexity and elite activities. Goods found at the site included luxury items like cacao cylinders and parrot feathers
34
Question 6:
35
What does the study of ostrich shell beads tell us about cultural preferences in different regions?
36
Answer:
37
Analysis of ostrich shell beads 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. Additionally
38
Question 7:
39
How did the production of flint daggers in Denmark reflect cultural influences from other regions?
40
Answer:
41
Flint daggers in Denmark emulated the style of prestigious bronze daggers from other regions
indicating that local producers sought to replicate fashionable items using available materials. This reflects a desire for status and the influence of external styles on local production.
42
43
Question 1:
44
What are makers marks and why are they significant in analyzing artifacts?
45
Answer:
46
Makers marks are unique identifiers
similar to signatures
47
Question 2:
48
How can form and decoration of an object help in understanding its cultural context?
49
Answer:
50
The form and decoration of an object reflect the aesthetic preferences and cultural traditions of different societies. By analyzing these features
archaeologists can identify the cultural origins of an artifact and how it may have been influenced by or interacted with other cultures.
51
Question 3:
52
What role does technological analysis play in the study of artifacts?
53
Answer:
54
Technological analysis examines the materials and manufacturing techniques used to create artifacts. This information can reveal the skill level of artisans
the availability of resources
55
Question 4:
56
What is the significance of chemical composition analysis in archaeological studies?
57
Answer:
58
Chemical composition analysis allows researchers to "fingerprint" materials
identifying their unique elemental signatures. This helps trace the origins of materials
59
Question 5:
60
What insights do the Terracotta Soldiers provide about ancient Chinese society?
61
Answer:
62
The Terracotta Soldiers
discovered in the tomb of China's first emperor
63
Question 6:
64
How can the study of trade artifacts
like the clay balls from Mesopotamia
65
Answer:
66
The clay balls and their associated tokens likely served as early forms of record-keeping and contracts
indicating a system of trade and exchange. They demonstrate how societies developed mechanisms to prevent tampering and ensure accountability in economic transactions.
67
Question 7:
68
What are some reasons people might migrate?
People migrate for various reasons, such as pursuing better living conditions, social interaction, economic opportunities, or to be near family and friends.
69
What are push factors in migration?
Push factors are negative conditions that drive people away from their current location, such as poor climate, lack of resources, conflict, or disease.
70
What are pull factors in migration?
Pull factors are positive conditions that attract people to a new location, such as better climate, job opportunities, or the presence of family and friends.
71
How do climate changes influence migration patterns?
Changes in climate can make an area more hospitable, leading people to move there, or conversely, harsher conditions can drive people away.
## Footnote
For example, warmer climates can attract migrations, while colder conditions can push people out.
72
What archaeological evidence can indicate migration?
Archaeologists look for artifacts brought from other locations, as well as human remains that show isotopic signatures matching different geographical areas.
73
What role do stable isotopes play in understanding migration?
Stable isotopes in human bones and teeth reflect the geological signature of the water consumed, allowing researchers to trace an individual's origin and movement.
74
Describe the characteristics of band societies.
Band societies are small, nomadic, egalitarian groups typically comprising 30 to 50 individuals. They often lack formal leadership and have limited economic specialization.
75
What is social stratification, and how is it observed in complex societies?
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical organization of society into different levels of wealth and power. In complex societies, there are distinct layers, often leading to greater inequality.
76
How do Neanderthal remains contribute to our understanding of social structures?
Neanderthal remains, such as those found at the El Sidrón site, suggest that they lived in small, family-based bands, reflecting a social structure similar to early modern humans.
77
What challenges do archaeologists face when studying small, mobile societies?
Archaeologists often find it difficult to locate evidence from smaller, nomadic groups because they leave less material behind compared to larger, more permanent settlements.
78
79
What are the key features of band societies?
Small groups of about 30 to 50 individuals, organized around families, with informal leadership
## Footnote
Leaders persuade rather than command
80
What are the key features of tribal societies?
Composed of a few hundred to a few thousand people, with informal leadership and lack of coercive power
## Footnote
Similar to band societies in leadership style
81
How do leadership styles differ between bands and tribes compared to chiefdoms?
Bands and tribes rely on persuasion and social influence, while chiefdoms have hierarchical leadership with greater resource access
## Footnote
Chiefdoms can command labor and enforce decisions
82
What types of archaeological evidence are associated with smaller societies like bands and tribes?
Localized sites for specific activities, such as resource collection or ceremonial events
## Footnote
Large cities or monuments are not typical of these societies
83
What defines a state society?
Characterized by a bureaucracy, organized administrative systems, legal systems, and the use of force
## Footnote
States have large populations, typically supported by agriculture
84
What role does bureaucracy play in state societies?
Manages administration, including record-keeping, taxation, and enforcing laws, requiring a literate class
## Footnote
Scribes are essential for effective functioning
85
What environmental factors may have contributed to the emergence of states?
Limited arable land leading to competition for resources and increased populations in circumscribed environments
## Footnote
Example: Nile Valley prompting conflict or better agricultural management
86
How does social stratification manifest in state societies?
Clear hierarchies with distinct layers of wealth and power, reflected in archaeological records
## Footnote
Presence of elite residences, monumental architecture, and concentration of wealth
87
What significant event marked the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt?
The rule of Narmer (or Menes), symbolized in the Narmer Palette as a warrior king
## Footnote
Established a new capital at Memphis
88
How did the geography of the Nile influence ancient Egyptian society?
Provided fertile land for agriculture but surrounded by harsh desert, influencing settlement patterns
## Footnote
Affected resource management and state development
89
What are common features of early state societies in terms of administration and economy?
Systems of writing for record-keeping, organized taxation, economic specialization, and legal systems
## Footnote
Managed resources through bureaucratic means
90
