Week 1 Flashcards
Civilization
A complex human society characterized by the development of urban centers, social stratification, a centralized authority or government, specialized labor, and often, writing systems and advanced arts and sciences.
Three Age System
A classification system used in archaeology to divide prehistory into three consecutive time periods: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. This system is based on the predominant use of these materials for tools and weapons in each period.
Ecofacts
Natural materials found at archaeological sites that have not been altered by humans but provide information about past environments and human activity.
Artifacts
Objects made, modified, or used by humans in the past, typically found at archaeological sites. Artifacts can range from simple tools to complex items like pottery, weapons, or art pieces.
Formation Processes
The processes that affect the creation, deposition, and preservation of archaeological sites and artifacts. This includes both natural processes (like erosion or sedimentation) and human activities (like construction or burial).
Pottery Chronology
The study and dating of pottery artifacts to establish chronological sequences and understand cultural and technological changes over time. Pottery is often used in archaeology to date sites and understand historical periods.
Historical Archaeology
A branch of archaeology that focuses on the study of cultures with written records. It combines the analysis of physical remains with historical documents.
Pompeii, Italy
A site that was perfectly preserved in a layer of ash that was created by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Tutankhamen
The name of a pharaoh unearthed from a tomb in ancient Egypt whose body was preserved by the Egyptians through the process of embalming.
Iceman
The body of a man discovered in the Alps, preserved by the freezing temperatures and whose body dates back to around 3300 BC.
