Lecture 18 - Intro To Archaeology

Question 1

What is the earliest evidence of trade and exchange?

Answer 1

Upper Paleolithic era in Europe, possibly earlier

Question 2

When did Paleo Indian trade and exchange occur in North America?

Answer 2

13,000 BP

Question 3

What are common items exchanged in trade?

Answer 3

• Raw materials
• Food
• Prestige items

Question 4

What has developed over the last 10,000 years in relation to trade?

Answer 4

Social complexity and trade networks of prestige items

Question 5

Can trade be internal, and what does it involve?

Answer 5

Yes, it can be internal; involves physical goods and social interaction

Question 6

In archaeology, how is trade reflected?

Answer 6

Presence of exotic or non-local materials such as obsidian, gold, amber, pottery

Question 7

What is the Kula ring?

Answer 7

A ritualized gift exchange network in Melanesia typically performed by males. High status men exchange prestige items, low status men exchange everyday items.

Question 8

What are the ceremonial gifts exchanged in the Kula ring?

Answer 8

• Red shell necklaces
• White shell armbands

Question 9

What is the significance of the Kula Ring?

Answer 9

It reinforces social ties and kinship, and spreads information and ideas.

Question 10

What are the three types of reciprocity?

Answer 10

• Generalized
• Balanced
• Negative

Question 11

What is generalized reciprocity?

Answer 11

Gift giving without expectation of immediate return

Question 12

What is balanced reciprocity?

Answer 12

Expectation of immediate return with goods of equal value exchanged

Question 13

What is negative reciprocity?

Answer 13

Attempt to get someone to trade unwillingly, involving trickery or coercion

Question 14

What is redistribution in trade?

Answer 14

Distribution of goods or food throughout a social group, ie a potlach.

Question 15

What is an example of redistribution?

Answer 15

Potlatch

Question 16

What characterizes markets in trade?

Answer 16

Physical area designated for trade, associated with state-level societies

Question 17

What is the significance of dentalium shell in trade?

Answer 17

It was a high-status item with limited availability in Indigenous communities because of its difficulty to harvest and low availability.

Question 18

What is sourcing in the context of materials?

Answer 18

Identification of raw material sources

Question 19

What are common methods used for sourcing materials?

Answer 19

• XRF (X-ray fluorescence)
• PXRF (portable X-ray fluorescence)
• INAA (neutron activation analysis)

Question 20

What does XRF measure?

Answer 20

Chemical composition by bombarding material with X-rays, and the energy emitted gives a breakdown of chemical composition. Fairly accurate but not as accurate as others.

Question 21

What is fall-off analysis?

Answer 21

The idea that the number of items made decreases as one moves away from the raw material source

Question 22

Which cultures are known for complex trade networks in the US?

Answer 22

Adena/Hopewell Cultures, 3,000-1,600 BP. Known for the vast network.

Question 23

Main characteristics of Adena culture.

Answer 23

Consisted of mound houses and reflected high amounts of labour.

Question 24

What characterized the trade networks in Aboriginal BC?

Answer 24

Intricate and complex trail networks facilitating product movement

Question 25

What historical trade expedition is associated with Queen Hatshepsut?

Answer 25

Trade expedition to the Land of Punt in which they came back with valuable items.

Question 26

What was the spice trade known for?

Answer 26

The spice triad, extremely valued

Question 27

Why did Christopher Columbus set out for North America?

Answer 27

To find a shortcut to the spices

Question 28

What is PXRF?

Answer 28

It is a new portable device that also finds chemical breakdowns.

Question 29

What is INAA?

Answer 29

Another method of locating chemical composition. Measures decay to find composition.

Question 30

Main characteristics of Hopewell culture?

Answer 30

Vast trade networks of copper, shells, figurines.

Question 31

What was the spice trade?

Answer 31

Valued spices traded across the world. Was the reason why Christopher Columbus came to North America because he was looking for a shortcut to spice hubs and got lost.