Week 1 Discussion: Why does Archaeology Matter?
I think I had a basic idea of what archaeology was before reading the article and the other readings for the
week, but it was far from what I thought I knew. My roommate was an archaeologist who eventually relocated to Canada to work on various assignments. I guess I conflated archaeology with anthropology even though I knew it involved a deeper understanding of humanity. Through archaeology, we can study and interpret human behavior, comprehend society, draw lessons from the past and apply them to the present, consider the ramifications of a dynamic environmental surroundings, and evaluate the interactions between various nations, regions, and civilizations. Archaeology and prehistory seemed like a
good complement to my previous anthropology classes. The reason archaeology matters is that it helps us understand our identity.
The article discusses archeological finds. One such instance is the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamen. Furthermore, hints about environmental changes may appear in unexpected locations. Various cultures arranged themselves uniquely. Additionally, archaeology reveals a spotlight on the many organizational structures that human societies have implemented (Chirikure, 2023). I don't think my opinions about archaeology changed entirely after reading the article, but I have gained fresh knowledge. I've discovered that it unquestionably has to do with people's cultures and the ways in which their societies have evolved. I find it fascinating how studying archaeology aids in the development of students' critical thinking abilities among other multidisciplinary talents. A thorough curriculum covering social sciences, history, math, environmental studies, and art (Smith & Harris) can easily incorporate archaeology. It is always changing and extremely adaptable to study. The application to many kinds of academic courses is remarkable.
I’ve discovered this article that I’d like to share on the subject matter, through my own, inquisitive research. There is no denying that humans are creatures of habit. An unparalleled viewpoint on human history and culture is provided by archaeology. Not only can archaeology tell us when and where humans have lived on Earth, but it also reveals their lifestyles. Archaeologists study historical change in search of parallels and meanings. In addition to looking for trends and intriguing news for the future, modern research may assist us in learning more and more about the past. What’s interesting about this article that I’m sharing is that there are many strengths in archaeological identification of patterns and processes. hylogenetics, cultural transmission theory, and human behavioral ecology (HBE) are the three methods currently used in archaeology (Garvey, 2018). Evolutionary and cultural theory is significant.
References:
Chirikure, S. (2023, October 3). What makes archaeology useful as well as exciting? it offers lessons from the past. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/what-makes-archaeology-useful-as-well-as-
exciting-it-offers-lessons-from-the-past-197539
Garvey R. (2018). Current and potential roles of archaeology in the development of cultural evolutionary theory. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 373(1743), 20170057. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0057
Smith, C. A., & Harris, J. F. (n.d.). Why is Archaeology Important?. Georgia-Archaeology.org. http://georgia-archaeology.org/EarlyGA/may2001/EarlyGeorgia_29_1_04.pdf
