Historical Archaeology - Introduction

ANT 412 - Historical Archaeology

Introduction

Course Schedule Evaluation FAQ Assignments ARH Prog Anthro Events

Purpose of Course The goal of the course is to familiarize you with some of the materials, methods, and research questions associated with historical archaeology, which, for the purposes of this course, I'll define as the archaeology of colonial and industrial periods (roughly post-1500), with emphasis on North America. Obviously, in a half-course it's impossible to become expert in any aspects of the subject, so instead I hope you will come to understand some of its main bases and its potential.

Last update: 1 September 2006

Description This course introduces the problems, methods and some of the material culture of colonial and industrial archaeology with emphasis on Canada and colonial America. It covers the use of documentary evidence, maps, architecture, and a variety of artifact classes.

Course Readings and Lectures
The readings for this course are quite extensive. This is unavoidable, to achieve the course objectives, especially as most of you do not have very much historical background, and there is not enough time in lectures for me to "catch you up."

The main texts for the course are Deetz's In Small Things Forgotten and Orser's Historical Archaeology. The former is quite a short and very readable book that you should try to read in its entirety either before the course starts or in the first few weeks. You can then review the pages of readings from it listed in the syllabus. The latter is a general overview that emphasizes the goals, theories and methods of historical archaeology. You will still find it useful to read it straight through, rather than only focussing on the sections listed in my syllabus.

Deetz's very good book concentrates only on certain parts of the eastern United States, and on particular topics. Orser's book is much more international, and does cover some Canadian cases but, like Deetz's, does not cover some of the topics I'd like to include in the course. Consequently, I have listed some other readings. These will be available for you at the ASA office by the beginning of the course where you can borrow them for reading or photocopying. I have adopted this option, rather than a reading package, to save you money and allow you to select from a short-list of several articles on many topics.

If, as will be the case for most of you, you have only dim memories of Canadian and US history, I strongly recommend that you review whatever text you may have used in high school, or read as much as you can of something like Craig Brown's Illustrated History of Canada. Not only will that help you follow my lectures better, it will help you write better assignments.

Please do the readings before the class with which they're associated so that you will be able to ask intelligent questions or participate in discussion or class exercises.

Note that I don't plan to regurgitate what's in these readings in class. I expect I will summarize some of the highlights, or main points I would expect you to study in preparation for the final test. In addition, I will try to illustrate some of the points with different examples than what your readings contain, and also expand on some of the readings.

It is particularly important that you not miss any of the "lab" sessions in class, such as the one on colonial coins and tokens. These allow you to develop skills you would not get from readings or lectures alone.

What's on the Web?
Also note that you should not waste your time writing down lengthy copies of things I write on the board or present on an overhead. Whenever I present a point-form summary, or a definition that you should know, etc., I will put it on the web site, so just print it out from the web and listen to what I'm saying in class. I will try at least to summarize the main points of the lectures on the web.

However, I do not plan to repeat text material either in lecture or on the web, except as necessary. I will also not post entire lecture notes on the web, as you are responsible for attending classes.

I will try to post outlines of important points on the web as study aids for the test, and I will post comments on your assignments and answers to your questions.

Evaluation Go to page on proposed evaluation scheme.

Purpose of Course		The goal of the course is to familiarize you with some of the materials, methods, and research questions associated with historical archaeology, which, for the purposes of this course, I'll define as the archaeology of colonial and industrial periods (roughly post-1500), with emphasis on North America. Obviously, in a half-course it's impossible to become expert in any aspects of the subject, so instead I hope you will come to understand some of its main bases and its potential.
Last update: 1 September 2006
Description		This course introduces the problems, methods and some of the material culture of colonial and industrial archaeology with emphasis on Canada and colonial America. It covers the use of documentary evidence, maps, architecture, and a variety of artifact classes.

Course Readings and Lectures		The readings for this course are quite extensive. This is unavoidable, to achieve the course objectives, especially as most of you do not have very much historical background, and there is not enough time in lectures for me to "catch you up." The main texts for the course are Deetz's In Small Things Forgotten and Orser's Historical Archaeology. The former is quite a short and very readable book that you should try to read in its entirety either before the course starts or in the first few weeks. You can then review the pages of readings from it listed in the syllabus. The latter is a general overview that emphasizes the goals, theories and methods of historical archaeology. You will still find it useful to read it straight through, rather than only focussing on the sections listed in my syllabus. Deetz's very good book concentrates only on certain parts of the eastern United States, and on particular topics. Orser's book is much more international, and does cover some Canadian cases but, like Deetz's, does not cover some of the topics I'd like to include in the course. Consequently, I have listed some other readings. These will be available for you at the ASA office by the beginning of the course where you can borrow them for reading or photocopying. I have adopted this option, rather than a reading package, to save you money and allow you to select from a short-list of several articles on many topics. If, as will be the case for most of you, you have only dim memories of Canadian and US history, I strongly recommend that you review whatever text you may have used in high school, or read as much as you can of something like Craig Brown's Illustrated History of Canada. Not only will that help you follow my lectures better, it will help you write better assignments. Please do the readings before the class with which they're associated so that you will be able to ask intelligent questions or participate in discussion or class exercises. Note that I don't plan to regurgitate what's in these readings in class. I expect I will summarize some of the highlights, or main points I would expect you to study in preparation for the final test. In addition, I will try to illustrate some of the points with different examples than what your readings contain, and also expand on some of the readings. It is particularly important that you not miss any of the "lab" sessions in class, such as the one on colonial coins and tokens. These allow you to develop skills you would not get from readings or lectures alone.

What's on the Web?		Also note that you should not waste your time writing down lengthy copies of things I write on the board or present on an overhead. Whenever I present a point-form summary, or a definition that you should know, etc., I will put it on the web site, so just print it out from the web and listen to what I'm saying in class. I will try at least to summarize the main points of the lectures on the web. However, I do not plan to repeat text material either in lecture or on the web, except as necessary. I will also not post entire lecture notes on the web, as you are responsible for attending classes. I will try to post outlines of important points on the web as study aids for the test, and I will post comments on your assignments and answers to your questions.

Evaluation		Go to page on proposed evaluation scheme.
		Go to page on proposed evaluation scheme.