Archaeology: The Science of the Human Past

Illuminating the world of archaeology.   Archaeology conveys the excitement of archaeological discovery and explains how archaeologists think as they scientifically find, analyze, and interpret evidence. The main objective of this text is to provide an introduction to the broad and fascinating world of archaeology from the scientific perspective. Discussions on the theoretical aspects of archaeology, as well as the practical applications of what is learned about the past, have been updated and expanded upon in this fourth edition.   Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: Discuss the theoretical aspects of archaeology. Apply what has been learned about the past. Identify the various perspectives archaeologists have. Note:  MySearchLab with eText does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab with eText, please visit:  www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with eText (at no additional cost):  ValuePack ISBN-10: 020589531X / ValuePack ISBN-13:  9780205895311.

Table of Contents:
In this Section: 1. Brief Table of Contents 2. Full Table of Contents     BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS: Part 1:  What is Archaeology?   Chapter 1:  The Science of Archaeology Chapter 2:  Backgrounds of Archaeology Chapter 3:  The Development of Contemporary Archaeology   Part 2:  Obtaining Information About the Past   Chapter 4:  The Archaeological Record Chapter 5:  Conducting Fieldwork Chapter 6:  Classification and Analysis of Artifacts Chapter 7:  Determining Time Chapter 8:  Bioarchaeology: Human Remains   Part 3:  Interpreting the Past   Chapter 9:    Environment and Adaptation Chapter 10:  Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence Chapter 11:  Interpreting Past Cultural Systems Chapter 12:  Understanding Culture Change   Part 4:  Public Achaeology   Chapter 13:  Cultural Resource Management Chapter 14:  Archaeology in the Real World    FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS:   Part 1:  What is Archaeology?   Chapter 1:   The Science of Archaeology What Is Archaeology?   The Branches of Archaeology   Key Concepts in Archaeology  Archaeology as Science  The Importance of Archaeology    Chapter 2:   Backgrounds of Archaeology Ancient Archaeology   Antiquarians   The Discovery of Prehistory   The Emergence of Professional Archaeology   Developing the Outline of World Prehistory   Political Influences in the History of Archaeology     Chapter 3:   The Development of Contemporary Archaeology Archaeology after World War II   The Rise of Scientific Archaeology   Expanding Theoretical Horizons   Archaeological Frontiers   Careers in Archaeology     Part 2:  Obtaining Information About the Past   Chapter 4:   The Archaeological Record Archaeological Sites  Archaeological Evidence  Site Formation and Transformation  Preservation  Recognizing and Recovering Evidence  Ongoing Impacts on the Archaeological Record     Chapter 5:   Conducting Fieldwork Finding Sites   Conducting Archaeological Surveys   Excavating Sites   Practical Aspects of Fieldwork   Ethics in Archaeological Fieldwork     Chapter 6:   Classification and Analysis of Artifacts Classification and Typology   Classifying Types of Artifacts   Analyzing Artifacts     Chapter 7: Determining Time What Is So Important about Time?   Older or Younger? Relative Dating in Archaeology   Real Time: Chronometric Dating     Chapter 8:   Bioarchaeology: Human Remains The Study of Human Remains: Getting to Know Past Peoples Preserved Bodies   Skeletal Remains   Analytical Approaches in Bioarchaeology     Part 3:  Interpreting the Past   Chapter 9:   Environment and Adaptation The Environment   Environmental Archaeology  Human Biological Adaptation   Human Cultural Adaptation  Domestication and the Agricultural Revolution   Chapter 10:  Understanding Past Settlement and Subsistence    How Did People Make a Living? Subsistence  Where Did People Live? Past Settlement Systems   The Interplay between Subsistence and Settlement     Chapter 11:   Interpreting Past Cultural Systems How Can Archaeology Answer Anthropological Questions?   Interpreting Past Social Structures   Interpreting Past Political Organization   Interpreting Past Belief Systems   Remembering the Individual     Chapter 12:   Understanding Culture Change The Archaeology of Change   Interpreting Evidence of Change   Cultural Contact and Conflict     Part 4:  Public Achaeology   Chapter 13:   Cultural Resource Management The Impact of Population Growth and Development on Archaeology  The Field of Cultural Resource Management   The Role of Public Education in Archaeological Preservation Cultural Resource Management among Traditional Peoples    Chapter 14:   Archaeology in the Real World Archaeology Today   Archaeology and Politics   Who Owns the Past?   Learning from the Past: Applying Archaeology to Contemporary Problems Archaeology and Computer Technology   Archaeology, Mass Media, and Public Perception   So What? The Significance of Archaeology

About the Author :
Mark Q. Sutton began his career in anthropology in 1968. While still in high school, he took advantage of the opportunity to participate in archaeological excavations conducted by the local Community College. He went on to earn a BA (1972), an MA (1977), and a Ph.D (1987) in anthropology. He has worked as an archaeologist for the US Air Force, the US Bureau of Land Management, various private consulting firms, and taught at a number of community colleges and universities. He taught at California State University, Bakersfield from 1987 to 2007 where he retired as Emeritus Professor of Anthropology. He now works for Statistical Research, Inc. in San Diego. Dr. Sutton works on understanding hunter-gatherer adaptations to arid environments but has also investigated entomophagy, prehistoric diet and technology, and optimal foraging theory. Dr. Sutton has worked at more than 120 sites in North America and has published over 160 books, monographs, and papers on archaeology and anthropology.