Paradigm Shifts in Archaeology: A Study Guide on Theories

NAME: Jessica Celestino ANT 107: INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY ACTIVITY 2.1, Paradigm Shifts, Part 1 Complete the following chart. Progressive Social Evolutionary Theory (PSET) Classificatory-historical paradigm Time period 19th century. Late 19 th to early 20 th century. People associated with this theory or paradigm Charles Darwin, Christian Thomsen, JJA Worsae Franz Boas Description of the perspective of the theory or paradigm and how it is different from the preceding paradigm States socieities will evolve in a uniform matter from simple to complex. Maturing in a linear fashion. Boaz rejected theories based on evolution that stated some cultures were more or less advanced than others. - “Every culture develops in a unique way due to its history” Types of data used Adoption of agriculture, development of writing system, the 3 age system. Ethnography.

Example(s) of archaeological research using this approach Examination of artifacts to support evolutionary progression. Native American culture studies collecting every type of anthropological data and artifact / holistic study. Midwestern Taxonomic System. Shortcomings and problems associated with the paradigm Ethnocentrism and attempting to show linear progression when not all societies/cultures fall under this specific timeline. Lacked systematic framework.

ACTIVITY 3.1 Paradigm Shifts, Part 2 Complete the following chart. Processual Archaeology Post-processual archaeology Time period 1960s 1970s – 1980s People associated with this theory or paradigm Lewis Binford Conkey & Spector Description of the perspective of the theory or paradigm and how it is different from the preceding paradigm Artifacts and data should be used to explain the past and not just describe it; more emphasis on scientific method. Examining more human behavior. Complex human behavior cannot be investigates by testing hypotheses; goal was to obtain a broad prospective and interpret data from various vantage points. “Insider’s perspective” Types of data used Science & scientific method. Ethnoarchaeology. Culture’s regligion, symbolism, world view, and iconograpy from archarological record.

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Example(s) of archaeological research using this approach Interpreting past human behavior with evolutionary ecology. Focusing on the role of women, children, and minorities. Shortcomings and problems associated with the paradigm Theories were unnecessarily complicated and unworkable with actual data. Broad theoretical applications only suitable in some situations. Overemphasis of subjectivity can lead to lack of objectivitiy of archaological evidence.

Activity 2.1 and 3.11

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