Deck 1: Principles of Archeology

Question 1

Archaeozoologists would help analyze

A) the stone tools at a site.
B) the remote sensing data from a site.
C) modern vegetation in the area of the site.
D) faunal remains from the site.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The analysis of archaeological materials

A) is a relatively quick procedure.
B) is necessary only at sites with architecture.
C) is one of the most important steps in the process.
D) takes place in the stratigraphy.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The phenomenon of bioturbation would be studied by a(n)

A) geoarchaeologist.
B) paleobotanist.
C) lithic technologist.
D) ethnographer.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Archaeological sites are discovered by

A) intentional survey.
B) library and museum searches.
C) accident.
D) any of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 5

Excavation of an archaeological site

A) involves the destruction of the place.
B) a technique to uncover buried remains from the past.
C) answers questions about prehistoric human activity.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 6

Air photographs are used by archaeologists

A) to locate new sites.
B) to map known sites.
C) to plot agricultural field systems.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 7

A site is

A) a basic unit of archaeological analysis.
B) a place where people lived.
C) a place where people carried out activities.
D) all of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 8

Artifacts are

A) portable objects that people made in the past.
B) fossil bones.
C) pyramids.
D) all of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 9

Field notes from archaeological surveys include

A) the location of the site.
B) the materials that were found.
C) observations about the place.
D) all of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 10

Archaeologists do not work in

A) national parks.
B) private business.
C) department stores.
D) museums.

Question 11

Archaeological field survey involves

A) large-scale excavation.
B) questionnaires distributed to local people.
C) field walking.
D) walking and looking for artifacts.
E) accurate dating techniques.

Question 12

A number of remote sensing techniques allows archaeologists to look for features buried in the ground without digging, including

A) ground penetrating radar.
B) accelerator mass spectrometry.
C) electronic spades.
D) dowsing rods.
E) none of the above.
F) all of the above.

Question 13

Some terms associated with establishing a grid system at an archaeological site include

A) accelerator mass spectrometer.
B) ground penetrating radar.
C) datum and elevation.
D) phosphate analysis.

Question 14

Careful excavation requires

A) detailed map and grid.
B) heavy machinery.
C) air photography.
D) all of the above.
E) none of the above.

Question 15

Topographic maps are useful for archaeologists because they contain information on

A) ancient vegetation.
B) weather patterns.
C) the shape of the land.
D) soil distribution.

Question 16

The term cosmology refers to

A) mapping large areas.
B) the interpretation of air photographs.
C) ancient writing systems.
D) origins myths.

Question 17

Stratigraphy is important in an archaeological excavation because it

A) is a record of deposits at the site.
B) always provides an accurate date for the site.
C) insures good conditions for preservation.
D) usually means that ancient bones are present.

Question 18

Phosphate analysis is used to

A) determine the number of artifacts per square meter.
B) interpret air photographs.
C) date organic material.
D) find traces of human activity.

Question 19

Archaeology is

A) the study of variation among contemporary human groups.
B) the collection, display, and marketing of exotic artifacts from temples and tombs.
C) the study of the evolution of Homo sapiens.
D) the study of culture and cultural evolution using the remains of past societies.
E) the study of the origins of diversity of languages.

Question 20

Archaeology

A) is the study of the human past.
B) combines the themes of time and change.
C) involves artifacts, ecofacts, and features.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 21

Analysis of animal bones and teeth from an archaeological site can tell us

A) how many animals lived at the site.
B) what kinds of animals lived at the site.
C) how many people lived at the site.
D) what kinds of seeds people ate.

Question 22

The human skeleton is a storehouse of information on the individual who died and may provide estimates of the person's

A) name.
B) age.
C) social security number.
D) number of siblings.

Question 23

Archaeozooloogy is the study of

A) modern plant remains.
B) prehistoric plant remains.
C) site stratigraphy.
D) prehistoric animals.

Question 24

Hierarchical organization

A) is often found among hunter-gatherers.
B) is associated with rank or class in society.
C) is a technique for classifying pottery and stone tools.
D) is associated with egalitarian groups.

Question 25

Plant remains at archaeological sites include all of the following except

A) pollen.
B) leaves.
C) seeds.
D) wood.
E) algae.

Question 26

Exotic materials are

A) a result of performance and dance.
B) always a product of craft production.
C) usually of low value.
D) foreign items.

Question 27

The primary characteristics of artifacts include all of the following except:

A) weight.
B) technology.
C) form.
D) style.

Question 28

Some of the specialists involved in archaeological analysis might include a(n)

A) electrician.
B) archaeometrist.
C) video artist.
D) ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Question 29

Extraction sites are used for

A) removal of teeth.
B) building residential structures.
C) burial of the dead.
D) gathering raw materials.

Question 30

Prehistoric economies involve concepts like

A) subsistence pattern.
B) lineage.
C) demography.
D) chronology.

Question 31

A(n) ________ is an example of an archaeological feature.

A) arrowhead
B) deer bone
C) fireplace
D) human bone

Question 32

Faunal analysis can be used to learn about

A) the location of a site.
B) the number of layers at a site.
C) the vegetation of the site.
D) the animals at a site.

Question 33

Petroglyphs are one kind of

A) stone tool.
B) ancient writing.
C) rock art.
D) cave or rockshelter.

Question 34

Redistribution is

A) a form of reciprocal exchange.
B) a form of trade.
C) a means of allotting foods and goods from a central place.
D) the analysis of economic exchange.

Question 35

The term ethnography refers to

A) decipherment of ancient texts.
B) analysis of the chemical composition of marble.
C) descriptive studies of living peoples.
D) study of prehistoric textiles.

Question 36

Pollen is (are)

A) a type of lake sediment.
B) microscopic plant material.
C) a stratigraphic layer.
D) long bones of horses.

Question 37

Archaeozoologists can determine all of the following except

A) the kinds of animals present at a site.
B) whether hunting or scavenging was practiced.
C) the religious significance of animal sacrifice.
D) the age and sex of the animals at a site.
E) how the animals were butchered.

Question 38

The size of an archaeological settlement depends on all of the following except

A) the number of inhabitants.
B) how long people have lived there.
C) the kinds of activities that took place there.
D) the climate of the surrounding region.

Question 39

What are the major components of human society that provide a focus of archaeological research?

Question 40

The term "craft specialization" could best be applied to

A) giving birth.
B) working.
C) fishing.
D) making beads.

Question 41

What are some of the ways that trade and exchange operated in past societies?

Question 42

Describe different kinds of archaeological fieldwork.

Question 43

What is the difference between egalitarian and non-egalitarian societies?

Question 44

Describe the important steps in conducting archaeological research.

Question 45

Why is social organization important to understand in the study of prehistoric societies?