AS/ANTH2140 6.0A (Y)            

Course Description: How did we, as human beings, become what we are? How do we know? This course has three main themes: first, the biological evolution of human beings and historical development of human societies; second, the methods that palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists use to study those aspects of the human past; and third, the social context of such endeavours to know the past.

The course begins with a brief introduction to basic anthropological principles and archaeological methods. We then consider human biological evolution, and modern human variation. This course then becomes primarily concerned with culture, rather than biology, and proceeds to cover certain key events and processes in human history, including farming, the emergence of complex technology, sedentism and social stratification. The course concludes by comparing several ancient societies (e.g. Egypt, Iroquois, Neolithic Europe, and Easter Island), and discussing how archaeology is used to understand recent historic events and contemporary life.
 

Throughout the course, we maintain a careful awareness of the social contexts in which archaeology is done. Topics covered include: popular representations of archaeology, political uses of archaeology, disputes over human origins, issues surrounding the ownership of archaeological objects and the study of
archaeological human remains, and conflicts and collaborations between archaeologists and indigenous peoples.

Class Format: Two lecture hours and one tutorial hour.

Evaluation: To be announced in the first week of classes.

Degree Credit Exclusion(s): Anth 2150 6.0 Early Civilizations