Archaeology RQ #7

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Austin Community College District *

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2302

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Anthropology

Date

Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by BaronOryxMaster998

Reading Questions - Chapter 7 1) How old are noodles? Did you think that people that long ago spent that much time making food? I mean, didn’t they just eat gruel and like it? Ans: Noodles are over 2,000 years old, originating in China. People in ancient times did invest time in food preparation, contrary to the misconception of only eating gruel. Culinary diversity has been a longstanding aspect of human culture. 2) How does collecting plant and animal remains to study human diet differ from collecting them for environmental study? Hint: trick question. Ans: Collection methods for plant and animal remains are similar in both human diet and environmental studies. The difference lies in interpreting data: human diet focuses on past consumption, while environmental studies explore broader ecological contexts. 3) Paleoethnobotany? Faunal analysis? What exactly do we mean by those? Ans: 1) Paleoethnobotany:  Definition: Paleoethnobotany is the study of ancient plant remains found in archaeological sites. This includes the analysis of seeds, pollen, wood, and other plant materials to understand past human interactions with plants, including agriculture, diet, and plant resource utilization. 2) Faunal Analysis:  Definition: Faunal analysis involves the study of animal remains recovered from archaeological sites. This includes the identification and analysis of bones, teeth, and other animal artifacts to gain insights into past human behavior, such as hunting practices, domestication, and dietary patterns. Faunal analysis contributes to our understanding of human-animal relationships in ancient societies.

3) What is the most interesting thing you read about in terms of plants in archaeology? Ans: The preservation of ancient seeds in archaeological sites, such as at Catalogue in Turkey, offers valuable insights into early plant domestication, cultivation practices, and the historical interactions between humans and plants. 4) What is the most interesting thing you read about in terms of animals in archaeology? Ans: The study of ancient animal domestication, such as with dogs, through the analysis of animal bones in archaeology provides insights into the evolving relationships between humans and animals, shaping cultural and social dynamics in ancient societies. 5) How important is experimental archaeology (and perhaps sometimes ethnoarchaeology) to all those techniques in the chapter? Ans: Experimental archaeology and ethnoarchaeology are essential for refining techniques in the study of plant and animal remains. Experiments and observations in these fields provide practical insights into ancient practices, enhancing our understanding of past human behaviors and cultural activities. 6) When and where, exactly, did domestication of animals and plants occur? Ans: The domestication of animals and plants occurred independently in various regions of the world at different times. Here are some key points: Animal Domestication:  Dogs: Domestication likely began around 20,000–40,000 years ago, with the earliest evidence found in Eurasia. This process was likely a gradual coevolution between wolves and early human groups.

 Goats and Sheep: Domestication of goats and sheep started in the Near East around 10,000–11,000 years ago.  Cattle: The domestication of cattle, such as aurochs, took place in the Near East around 10,000–9,000 years ago.  Pigs: Pig domestication occurred independently in multiple regions, including the Near East, China, and Europe, around 9,000–8,000 years ago. Plant Domestication:  Wheat and Barley: Domestication began in the Fertile Crescent (modern- day Middle East) around 10,000–12,000 years ago.  Rice: Independent domestication occurred in China around 10,000–14,000 years ago.  Maize (Corn): Domestication took place in Mesoamerica, particularly in what is now Mexico, around 9,000 years ago. 7) OK, trick question for #7. We’ll come back to it later in the course. For now, how would you know a plant or animal has been domesticated? Ans: Indicators of domestication include morphological changes, age distribution, isotopic analysis for animals, seed size, genetic changes, and harvest timing for plants. These markers collectively reveal intentional human influence on the transition from wild to domesticated forms. 8) Isotopes again? This is a joke, right? Hint: they are almost as important as DNA. Ans: No joke! Isotopic analysis is indeed a valuable tool in archaeology, providing insights into various aspects such as diet, migration, and environmental conditions. Isotopes, like stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, can be analyzed in bones, teeth, and other biological remains to uncover information about an individual's or a community's lifestyle and interactions with their environment.

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While not as detailed as DNA, isotopic analysis offers unique perspectives on past human and animal behaviors. 9) What did I say about Sr isotopes and human teeth and bones in class? You could also google it, but I hard time finding something good. Ans: Strontium Isotopes in Human Teeth and Bones:  Strontium isotopes vary in different geological regions, and they are incorporated into the body through the food chain.  By analyzing the strontium isotopic composition in teeth or bones, researchers can infer information about an individual's geographic origin or mobility patterns.  Strontium isotope ratios in dental enamel, which forms during childhood, can provide insights into the region where an individual spent their early years. The pretend bonus this week is the grossest thing you read in the chapter or the grossest thing that you ever heard about people eating. If it’s not in the chapter, how would we know archaeologically?

Archaeology RQ #7

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