ANTH 3702 - Archaeology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40131,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Matt O'Mansky
Email: meomansky@ysu.edu
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Archaeology Essentials: Theories, Methods, and Practice, 5th edition | Renfrew, Colin, Paul Bahn, and Elizabeth DeMarrais | 978-0500845295 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Textbook ch. 1 pp. 12-25 (top) | Introduction to the course Archaeology Field Schools What is Archaeology? A Brief History of Archaeology |
None |
| 8/31 | Textbook ch. 1, pp. 25-37, ch. 10 pp. 273-295 Binford, Lewis R. (1962) Archaeology as Anthropology |
Frameworks for Interpreting the Archaeological Record: An Introduction to Archaeological Theory | None |
| 9/7 | Textbook ch. 3, pp. 62-88 | Finding Sites: Surveying, Map Making, and Remote Sensing Hands on: Ground Penetrating Radar, Total Station, Pacing, Drones |
None |
| 9/14 | Textbook ch. 2, pp. 38-61, ch. 3 pp. 88 (bottom)-104 | Finding Sites, continued Site Formation Processes and Excavation |
None |
| 9/21 | Textbook ch. 4, pp. 105-139 | Site Formation Processes and Excavation, continued Archaeological Dating Techniques |
Project 1, Mapping and Interpretations, Due Tuesday, 9/22 Hands on: Laying Out Excavation Units |
| 9/28 | None | Archaeological Dating techniques, continued | Exam 1 Thursday 10/1 (in class) |
| 10/5 | Textbook ch.3, pp. 100 (bottom) – 104 and ch. 4, pp. 110-112 (review) | Interpreting the Archaeological Record: Middle Range Theory Environmental Archaeology |
None |
| 10/12 | Textbook ch. 6, pp. 174-189 | Plant Remains, Animal Remains, and Diet | None |
| 10/19 | Textbook ch. 6, pp. 189-207 | Bioarchaeology and NAGPRA | NOTE: Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” – Sunday, 10/25 |
| 10/26 | Textbook ch. 8, pp. 232-250 | Bioarchaeology and NAGPRA | Project 2, Garbology Typology, Due Tuesday, 10/27 NAGPRA discussion/debate |
| 11/2 | Textbook ch. 5, pp. 140-173 | Reconstructing Social and Political Systems Sex and Gender in the Archaeological Record |
None |
| 11/9 | Textbook ch. 7, pp. 208-231 | Reconstructing Economic Systems – Markets, Trade, and Exchange | None |
| 11/16 | Textbook ch. 9, pp. 251-272 | Cognitive Archaeology and Interpreting Ancient Religion and Ritual | None |
| 11/23 | Textbook ch. 12, pp. 323-325 | Cultural Resource Management, and the Future of Archaeology | None |
| 11/30 | Textbook ch. 12, pp. 316-333 | Cultural Resource Management, and the Future of Archaeology, continued A Consideration of Ethical Issues in Archaeology |
Exam 2 Thursday 12/3 [in class] Final Project Due Friday, 12/4 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.