ANT 307 - Archaeology of the Turkana Basin

Institution:

Stony Brook University

Subject:

Description:

Sites in the Turkana Basin show changes in human technology and social organization from earliest times to today. Class trips to Early Stone Age sites show innovations in lithic technology during the first stages of stone tool production. Practice surveys and excavations focus on the past 10,000 years, when local hunter-gatherers began using pottery and bone harpoons, and eating aquatic resources. Additional site tours highlight 1) early herding in eastern Africa and the construction of stone pillar sites, possibly for ceremonial use, and 2) integration of fishing, herding, farming, and use of iron tools during the past 2000 years. Linking the human evolution finds with the present, class lectures, lab exercises, and field excursions show students how archaeologists document technological innovation, adoption, and transformation through material cultural evidence. Students learn diverse methods of survey and excavation appropriate for different sites and contexts.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.stonybrook.edu

Phone Number:

(631) 632-6000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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