Lecture 6 - Intro To Archaeology Flashcards
What are the two main types of formation processes?
Cultural (C-Transforms) and natural (N-Transforms)
What role do natural formation processes play?
They play a large role in the preservation of organic archaeological materials.
How does soil acidity affect organic preservation?
In BC, poor preservation occurs in acidic soil as it dissolves organic material.
What factors dictate preservation in natural formation processes?
Critical factors include temperature and humidity.
What are the best conditions for organic preservation?
Extremely dry, wet, or cold environments.
What is an example of dry environment preservation?
Desert conditions, Egyptian tombs, and Inca mummies.
What is an example of wet environment preservation?
Shipwrecks, bogs, anaerobic conditions, and Tollund Man (2000 years old).
What significant findings were made at the Ozette site?
Houses, bone combs, baskets, and fish hooks were found.
What is an example of cold environment preservation?
The baby mammoth found in Siberia (42,000 BP) and Ice Man (Otzi) in the Alps (5,000 BP).
Do Rocks Decay?
Rocks do not decay.
How do shell middens contribute to preservation?
The calcium in the shells helps preserve them.
What is the relationship between time depth and organic preservation?
Longer time depths usually mean less organic preservation due to environmental changes.
