Question 1

The basis upon which archaeologists use ethnographic records to interpret prehistoric artifacts and sites is

Accepted Answer

A)   prehistoric analogy.
B)   ethnographic analogy.
C)   creative thinking.
D)   experimental archaeology. B

Question 2

The events and processes of the natural environment that affect the archaeological record are known as

Accepted Answer

A)   cultural processes.
B)   site-formation processes.
C)   phase-creation processes.
D)   noncultural processes. D

Question 3

List and describe at least three different types of preservation found with archaeological materials. Which do you think is best? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

1. In situ preservation: This type of preservation involves leaving archaeological materials in their original location and condition. This can be beneficial for preserving the context and relationships between different artifacts, features, and structures. However, it can also be challenging to protect these materials from natural and human disturbances.

2. Conservation and stabilization: This type of preservation involves actively treating and stabilizing archaeological materials to prevent further deterioration. This can include processes such as cleaning, consolidating fragile materials, and providing protective coatings. While this approach can help extend the lifespan of artifacts, it can also be time-consuming and costly.

3. Replication and digital preservation: This type of preservation involves creating replicas or digital models of archaeological materials. Replicas can be displayed for public education and engagement, while digital models can be used for research and conservation purposes. While this approach can help protect original materials from damage, it may not fully capture the physical and historical significance of the originals.

In my opinion, conservation and stabilization is the best type of preservation for archaeological materials. While in situ preservation is important for maintaining context, it can be difficult to ensure the long-term protection of materials in their original location. Replication and digital preservation are valuable for accessibility and education, but they cannot fully replace the authenticity and historical value of original artifacts. Conservation and stabilization allows for the active protection and maintenance of archaeological materials, helping to ensure their survival for future generations to study and appreciate.

Question 4

Cultural factors that can affect the archaeological record include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   reuse of artifacts.
B)   dumping of trash.
C)   later occupants.
D)   erosion.

Question 5

Discuss the true value of William Rathje's long-term study of modern urban garbage in Tucson, Arizona. How can this study be applied to findings from other archaeological sites?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the true value of William Rathje's...

Question 6

What is the most favorable condition for preservation of archaeological finds?

Accepted Answer

A)   dry
B)   humid
C)   tropical rain forest
D)   mid-latitude

Question 7

What is the difference between what Thor Heyerdhal demonstrated and what Ben Finney demonstrated? Which is more important to an understanding of prehistory? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between what Thor...

Question 8

Watery conditions can aid preservation. The corpse of Tollund Man was found in excellent condition because it was preserved in

Accepted Answer

A)   a peat bog.
B)   a cedar plank house by the ocean.
C)   a mud slide.
D)   an ice-filled log coffin.

Question 9

Using data from the dynamic present to evaluate archaeological evidence from the static archaeological record, as Brian Hayden did in studying metates and manos, demonstrates the power and potential of a many-sided approach to

Accepted Answer

A)   ethnographic analogy.
B)   creative analogy.
C)   experimental archaeology.
D)   ethnoarchaeology.

Question 10

Which theory comprises methods, theories, and ideas that can be applied to any period and anywhere in the world to explain what we have discovered, excavated, or analyzed from the past?

Accepted Answer

A)   middle-range
B)   nearest-neighbor
C)   central-modality
D)   Pearson's R

Question 11

Which of these biological agents occur almost everywhere and are usually the first to colonize dead organic matter and begin the processes of decay?

Accepted Answer

A)   bacteria
B)   fungi
C)   archaea
D)   insects

Question 12

The factors that create the historic and archaeological records are known as

Accepted Answer

A)   prehistory.
B)   history.
C)   site-formation processes.
D)   formative processes.

Question 13

A long-term study underway in Tucson, Arizona, is applying ethnoarchaeology to investigate material culture, resource management, urban demography, and social and economic stratification

Accepted Answer

A)   in a modern context.
B)   in an early Southwestern culture.
C)   in an ancient urban center.
D)   from an alternate perspective.

Question 14

In A.D. 79, entire towns were overwhelmed by an eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius; lava from the eruption even preserved the body casts of fleeing victims. One of those towns was

Accepted Answer

A)   Milan.
B)   Naples.
C)   Roman Herculaneum.
D)   Ostia.

Question 15

Factors where human behavior has transformed the archaeological record are

Accepted Answer

A)   cultural processes.
B)   behavioral processes.
C)   complex processes.
D)   environmental processes.

Question 16

What does something like Thor Heyerdhal's voyage in a balsa raft actually prove?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does something like Thor Heyerdhal's voyage...

Question 17

The environmental agents of deterioration can be grouped into any of these categories EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   biological.
B)   chemical.
C)   geological.
D)   physical.

Question 18

For years, archaeologists talked about a moment in time when a non-Western society first came in contact with Europeans, such as when Captain James Cook landed on Tahiti in the South Pacific in 1769. This moment in time could be called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)   colonial moment.
B)   transitional moment.
C)   ethnographic present.
D)   ethnographic past.

Question 19

For archaeologists, understanding the past requires accurate knowledge of the

Accepted Answer

A)   present.
B)   past.
C)   archaeological record.
D)   regional history.

Question 20

Explain the two basic forms of site-formation processes, and explain their impact on archaeological sites.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the two basic forms of site-formation...

Exam 9: The Present and the Past