Learning Module on Archaeology

In this module, focus on learning about archaeology through the Adventures in Archaeology. Make a list of terminology and concepts that you find important. Turn to the area that focuses on the site of Stonehenge and explore how time plays a critical role in determining how archaeologists look at the past. Examine how changes in ancient Britain led to the eventual use of Stonehenge as a central place. Then turn to the Khmer site of Angkor Wat. Explore the site and then focus on walking through the site as an archaeologist would. Take one part of the temple and attempt to reconstruct how it was used or take a look at how the temple could be used as a "time piece" or as Mount Meru, home of the Hindu Gods. Finally, explore how science and pseudo-science differ in how you looked at Angkor Wat and how it has been looked at by someone else. With over 100 temples within the complext at Angkor, is there a valid definition of a single constellation that was part of some grand design? Is there a valid use of sequence of how the temples at Angkor were constructed in how the interpretation asserts was part of the grand design?

Learn about the important terms and concepts within the discipline of Archaeology?

Exploring Archaeology

Explore how archaeologists will look at stone artifacts and examine attributes and create types that are useful in understanding the past.

Archaeology: Study of Process

Stonehenge is something we are all familiar with yet do you know how long it took to build Stonehenge? Do you know it was tied to social changes taking place in Neolithic Britain? Examine how archaeologists study culture change and how time depth enables archaeologists to reconstruct how people created a monument in Britain that can be related to changes in society. This is a study of time and change but also a study of changing social structure in Britain. By studying the process of change at Stonehenge and within early societies in Britain can we find other places in the world where similar changes may have taken place? If so, how can this help us understand cultural at large?

CASE STUDY

Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure ever built by humans. It is enormous and very complex. The site is filled with symbolism that we today find difficult to imagine. Explore the mathematical, astronomical, religious, and political symbolism that that pervades this marvel of the ancient world.

In an age when the past can be interpreted in many ways for many different purposes, examine the world of Angkor Wat for yourself and then see how it has been used in a different way. Explore how scientific inquiry works and how careful one must be to draw inferences about the past.

Angkor Wat was built by a god-king who ruled a population of perhaps one million people. Ask yourself why he wanted to build this magnificent temple and how it may have been used for many purposes.

If you are really interested in learning more about archaeology,  It is recommended that you explore   Kevin Greene's web area on archaeology.

The Nature of Society, Economics, and Leadership

Growing Complexity Comes with Civilization

Shamans and the Central Religious Experience

Study how Anthropologists look at societies and social and political organization. Explore issues that result from increasing complexity within societies - ask yourself how this can arise?

People have lived as Hunters and Gatherers for longer than they have been farmers. Explore how these cultures were so successful. Read the article on "Wrong Assumption" and "Worst Mistake" and explore if you find part of the argument by Jared Diamond valid. Identify the things that Diamond suggests were issues that arose from farming that now lead him to think this was a bad mistake for human societies. Is there evidence to refute these or other issues you can define that would argue he is wrong.

Human societies create ways of interpreting the world and explaining the unknown. RELIGION AND CULTURE

The Worlds of the Supernatural and Living: A Reflection on Themes in Ancient Religions

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Legacy of Human Civilizations