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Archaeology: Introductory Guide for Classroom and Field 1/e
Ellis E. McDowell-Loudan Ph.D.
Published September 2001 by Prentice Hall
Copyright 2002, 176 pp., Paper
ISBN: 0-13-090844-4
List Price:
$28.00
Inventory Status:
In-Stock
   
Summary

This practical, beginning-level guide to American Archeology for the beginner focuses on the basics of archaeological investigation. It explains the traditional core approaches and techniques that are likely to be used on everyday archaeological projects and that, in reality, underlie even the most sophisticated techniques used on large-scale, elaborately funded and staffed projects. An abundance of examples, cases, hands-on exercises, and exceptionally clear step-by-step descriptions are all thoroughly supported with careful explanations of what is necessary and why. KEY TOPICS: What Is Archeology? How Do We Do Archeology? How Do We Know Where To Dig? Where Do We Begin And How Do We Begin? How Do We Make Accurate Horizontal And Vertical Measurements And Why Do We Do It? The Excavations: How Do We Dig Archaeological? The Laboratory: The Place Where All The Sins Of The Field Are Discovered. Analysis At Last! Why Did We Do All Of This Work? Archeology Today: The Big Picture. MARKET: For avocational archaeologists or the casual reader interested in archaeology.

Features

  • A focus on the traditional core approaches and techniques—e.g., how to use a compass, triangulate, and make scale drawings without special tools.

    • Focuses on helping students develop a solid understanding of the basics (which underlie even the most sophisticated equipment), so they can “make do” in all situations—even when technological equipment is unavailable, malfunctions, or fails to give realistic readings.

  • An interconnected, “personalized” approach—Emphasizes that in the United States and Canada, as well as in a number of other regions of the world, there continue to be types of research and types of archaeological sites that benefit most from a more intimate relationship of researcher and the archaeological context—the environment itself.

    • Shows students the necessity of becoming more closely connected with the sites and environments involved.

  • What is necessary and why —Includes basic themes throughout, stressing the importance of a research design, application of scientific method, and continuous critical evaluation of what is done and why.

    • Helps students learn to use various techniques intelligently, rather than just following procedures mechanically.

  • Examples and cases—Including what may go wrong.

    • Helps students see concepts and techniques in action in real-life applications. Gives instructors many opportunities to relate similar or more striking examples paralleling what is presented.

  • Hands-on exercises.

    • Gives students opportunities to practice or envision experimental approaches that parallel what an archaeologist does, such as measuring a dorm room and its contents, or looking at a picnic area after its users have left but evidence of them remains.
Table of Contents



Introduction.


1. What Is Archaeology?


2. Bringing Out Your Inner Archaeologist.


3. How Do We Know Where to Dig?


4. How Do We Begin?


5. The Excavations: How Do We Dig Archaeologically?


6. The Laboratory.


7. Analysis at Last!


8. Archaeology Today: The Big Picture.


Appendices.


Bibliography.


Index.


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