Archaeology Essentials Theories Methods And Practice 3rd Edition by Colin Renfrew – Test Bank

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Sample Test

Chapter 4 Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

To an archaeologist, examples of relative dating methods include a) seriation b) studying the stratigraphy of a site c) pollen dating d) using layer data from deep­sea cores e) all of the above

2.

Through seriation, assemblages of artifacts are arranged in serial order, which is taken to indicate


3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

their relative worth what year they were excavated their relative ordering in time where they were discovered on the site grid where the object originally came from

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Absolute dating methods supply only a relative date for the object in question compared to other objects do not yet include the scientific methods of the later 20th century are not considered important to archaeology supply a calendar date for the object in question include such methods as seriation and pollen dating

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Although the creation of a typology may enable an archaeologist to understand gradual changes in design or decoration, to discover exactly when these changes occurred archaeologists must employ absolute dating methods relative dating methods parallels to other artifact typologies stratigraphy none of the above

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

For most of human history the only way that people could measure time was through the use of calendars observing the alternating darkness of day and night and the cycle of the seasons counting tree rings the use of stratigraphy calculating the path of the planet Venus in the sky

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Palynologists study ____________ which, when found preserved in lake or bog sediments, allows them to understand both ancient environments and to use them as a method of ________________ dating fossils, absolute pollen, relative pollen, absolute bog bodies, absolute fauna, relative __________ are complex sequences of cold periods that occurred during the Ice Age and are visible in ice cores Interstadials Interglacials Glacials


16. 17.

Stadials none of the above

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

The most coherent record of climate change on a global scale is obtained through deep sea cores calendric records faunal profiles lexicostatistics varves

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

In order to obtain absolute dates from volcanic material in very early contexts (over 1 million years ago), you would probably choose to use varves dendrochronology uranium­series dating potassium­argon dating radiocarbon dating

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

This absolute dating method was developed by A.E. Douglass, an American astronomer, chiefly from work he conducted at the Pueblos of the American Southwest varve dating carbon dating tree­ring dating seriation potassium­argon dating

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Layers of sediments resulting from the melting of ice sheets and deposited in lakes on an annual basis are known as tree rings pollen ice cores varves contextual seriation

12.

Some scholars prefer the term BCE to the term BC when talking about calendar dates because BC, which means Before Christ, is not necessarily meaningful in areas with other calendars or religions. What does BCE stand for? 13. Before Columbus’s Exploration 14. Before the Common Era 15. By Convention Exactly


16. 17.

Before Calendar Evidence By Common Evidence

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

In the Christian calendar (which uses the terms BC and AD), there is no year 0 1 BC AD 1 AD 666 none of these exist in the Christian calendar

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

By 10,000 BC the only parts of the world that were not populated by Homo sapiens were Antarctica, the deserts, and South America Polynesia the Indian subcontinent Central Africa North America

15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Although generally less precise than radiocarbon, thermoluminescence (TL) dating has an advantages over radiocarbon dating: it can date pottery human teeth volcanic rock carbonized botanical remains all of the above.

16.

17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

Archaeomagnetic (paleomagnetic) dating is contingent upon a number of factors. If a clay structure is heated beyond a certain temperature (650­700o C), is not reheated, and remains in situ, this dating technique may then be used to measure the __________________ of the iron particles, which may then be compared to a master sequence that has been built up for that region magnetic pulses magnetic intensity magnetic direction magnetic half­life all of the above

17.

If a coin with a date on it is found in a sealed archaeological deposit, we know that the deposit can be no older than the date on the coin. In that situation the date on the coin represents 18. a terminus ante quem


19. 20. 21. 22.

an a maiore ad minus an a minore ad maius a terminum ad minore a terminus post quem

18.

19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

The presence of foreign pottery in a well­dated Egyptian context shows that this type of pottery cannot be more recent than those Egyptian objects. This type of cross­dating establishes a__________ for the manufacture of the foreign pottery a terminus ante quem an a maiore ad minus an a minore ad maius a terminum ad minore a terminus post quem

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

One of the major drawbacks of tree­ring dating is that the date recorded corresponds to the felling of the tree, thus tree­rings cannot be used to calibrate carbon dates it cannot be considered an independent method of absolute dating it is hard to conduct tree­ring dating outside of the tropics where there are a lot of trees timbers may be older or younger than the structures that they were used to build all of the above

20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

The time taken for half of the atoms of a radioactive isotope to decay is called its radiocarbon thermoluminescence half­life half­decay isotope deterioration rate

21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Radiocarbon dating methods can only be used on inorganic materials organic materials volcanic rocks well­fired pottery objects exposed to sunlight

22.

___________________ is another term for tree­ring dating which is based on the counting, measurement, and patterning of annual growth rings in known species of trees a. Radiocarbon b. Varve analysis


c. d. e.

Botanical dating Dendrochronology Amino acid racemization

23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

The term for dating techniques based on the decay of radioactive isotopes which have half­ lives that are known and measurable is a) relative b) absolute c) enumerative d) radiometric e) nucleic

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

Which dating technique would yield a result that might read 2.25 million years before present, plus or minus 50,000 years? a) radiocarbon dating b) seriation c) assemblage typology d) potassium­argon dating e) uranium­series dating

25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Pollen is a useful tool for archaeologists because a) from it archaeologists can construct detailed sequences of past vegetation and climate b) pollen is not very durable and thus can reflect subtle changes in seasons and climate c) pollen is almost indestructible: it survives for thousands of years d) a and b only e) a and c only

26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

By more than 1.6 million years ago, Homo erectus emerged in a) Eastern Europe b) East Asia c) Eastern Australia d) East Africa e) all of the above

27. 1. 2. 3. 4.

One of the most striking facts of world prehistory is that the transition to food cultivation from hunting and gathering spread to the entire world from the fertile crescent of the Middle East occurred well before the end of the Ice Age did not cause any sort of restructuring of the organization of human society was recorded by the chroniclers of the Middle Ages


5.

occurred independently in several different areas of the world

28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

The reason that radiocarbon dating results must be calibrated is that, contrary to what Libby assumed the half­life of 14C samples from wet contexts is twice that of 14C samples from dry contexts the concentration of 14C in the atmosphere has actually remained the same over time the concentration of 14C in the atmosphere has actually varied over time the concentration of 14C in the atmosphere has nothing to do with radiocarbon dating the half­life of 14C has been seriously modified by pollution in the atmosphere

29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34.

Electron Spin Resonance Dating (ESR) is most successful when used to provide dates for tooth enamel obsidian pollen ceramics volcanic rocks

30. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Assumptions about genetic mutation rates stemming from the study of samples taken from living people is the basis of archaeomagnetic dating DNA dating optical dating natural selection dating tooth enamel dating

True or False Questions 1.

Using differences in tree­rings to tie a wooden structure to a calendar date is an example of a relative dating technique.

2.

Archaeologists have shown that the Maya calendar was very precise: it was used to record exact dates.

3.

A key point in archaeology is the idea of association. For example, if objects are found in the same, sealed, archaeological deposit, it is probable that they were buried at the same time. If one


of these objects can later be given an absolute date, then it is possible to assign that absolute date to the sealed deposit and the other objects associated with it as well. 4.

The typological idea that change in artifact style is gradual over time is associated with Darwin’s theory of evolution.

5.

Scientists have come to recognize that fluctuations in climate during the Ice Age were far less complex than originally thought; indeed, the Ice Age was just one long unbroken spell of cold with little temperature fluctuation.

6.

When provided with a radiocarbon figure such as 3700 + 100 BP, the first number (3700) is the number of years before the year 1950.

7.

Traditionally, radiocarbon dating techniques required approximately 10­20 grams of wood or charcoal. A few radiocarbon laboratories using the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) are now able to work with samples as small as 5­10 milligrams.

8.

One of the best things about radiocarbon dating is that the samples are resistant to all contamination: other organic material can come in contact with a radiocarbon sample without contaminating it.

9.

One of the most useful techniques for dating early human (hominin) sites in Africa is radiocarbon dating.

10.

The main difference between optical dating and thermoluminescence dating is that optical dating is used to date minerals that have been exposed to light and thermoluminescence is used to date minerals that have been exposed to heat.

11.

Archaeomagnetic (or, “paleomagnetic”) dating is based on the constantly changing magnetic field of the earth.

12.

Based on recent DNA evidence, it is clear that Homo sapiens did not evolve in Africa.


Chapter 4 Essay Questions 1. 2. 3.

Very briefly, identify and define three different relative dating techniques. Very briefly, identify and define three different absolute dating techniques. Discuss the basic method of tree­ring dating (dendrochronology). Include in your discussion the techniques used by dendrochronologists to obtain tree rings, and how the formation of these rings is affected by environmental conditions. Be certain to include in your discussion 1) how tree rings are used to create long master sequences and allow the calibration of radiocarbon dating, and 2), how tree rings are used for direct dating. Finally, what are the limitations of the method? 4. Discuss the method of radiocarbon dating. Address the following three questions within your essay: What does the method measure? What are the underlying assumptions of radiocarbon dating? What are the limitations of the method?

Chapter 7 Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

The technique of mixing two or more metals to create a new material, such as copper and tin to make bronze, is known as ascribing annealing bifurcating conjoining alloying

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Analytical methods for characterization are varied. For pottery, a reliable technique for determining the source is heavy mineral analysis studies of temper or exclusions thin section analysis all of the above none of the above


3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

A massive amount of information about how commodities were traded in the Mediterranean around 1300 came from the site of Uluburun which is a barrow cemetery location mentioned in the Iliad volcano in the Andes shipwreck site preserved in volcanic ash

4.

From about 2.5 million years ago until 14,000 BC at the earliest, the archaeological record is dominated by artifacts made out of

bone ceramic stone metal plant remains 5.

Study of the patterns of wear or damage on the edges of stone tools that can provide useful information on a particular tool’s function is known as

refitting microwear analysis scanning electron analysis plating none of the above 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Most stone tools are made by removing _________ from a __________ cores from a flake megaliths from a quarry flakes from a core hand­axes from a chopper choppers from a hand­axe


7. a. b. c. d. e.

__________ did not exist anywhere in the New World until after European contact The potter’s wheel Agriculture Weaving Writing Corn

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

We tend to forget that different societies value different goods. For example, while the Conquistadors valued the gold of the New World, the Aztec valued __________ more highly than metal a) iron b) cattle c) wheat beer d) chariots e) feathers

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

____________, which dominated the human toolkit around 10,000 years ago, are tiny stone tools that were probably used as barbs on composite implements a) Eoliths b) Microliths c) Cores d) Phytoliths e) Otoliths

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

The technique of stone tool manufacture that involved knapping a core in such a way that large flakes could be removed and shaped into tools is called a) the Oldowan industry b) refitting c) cold hammering d) the Champollion technique e) the Levallois technique

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

_________, or conjoining, is the attempt to put stone tools, flakes, and cores back together again, providing information on the stages in producing the tools and reconstructing the process of the knapper’s craft. a) Refitting b) Annealing c) Filigree d) Microwear analysis e) Alloying


12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

The primary goal of characterization is to a) reveal information about the character of the person who made it b) mimic how objects were used in the past c) assign objects to standard categories so they can be stored properly d) discover the source of the material an object is made out of e) all of the above

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Inclusions in the clay used to make pottery that act as a filler, creating strength and counteracting cracking and shrinkage during firing, are known as a) slag b) temper c) microliths d) faience e) debitage

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

The intentional use and control of fire by humans is known as a) pyrotechnology b) pyromania c) metallurgy d) smelting e) pyroxia

15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

All of the following are examples of synthetic materials except a) pottery b) glass bottles c) iron weapons d) bronze shields e) stone hand­axes

16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

When a thin­section of an object is prepared for study, it is made thin enough to ______________ so that specific minerals can be seen in it through the use of a light microscope a) transmit light b) fold and bend c) block light d) allow water to pass through it e) none of the above

17.

Volcanic glass which is used to make chipped stone tools is a particularly good material to perform trace­element analysis on. Another word for Volcanic glass is 18. temper


19. 20. 21. 22.

petroglyph obsidian mineral glass none of the above

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

The alloying of copper with tin produces a) gold b) bronze c) silver d) aluminum e) iron

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Isotopic analysis of lead is not only used on objects made of pure lead, but on artifacts made out of ___________ as well a) copper b) glass c) bronze d) silver e) all of the above

20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

For many years, archaeologists puzzled over the method used to create the flute or channel on Folsom points, a Paleo­Indian tool of North America. Based on textual observations and experimentation, it was determined that the flute was created by a) the block­on­block technique b) pressure flaking using a small, pointed tool c) an antler billet d) pressure flaking using a T­shaped crutch, placed against the chest e) an unknown process

21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Observing the wear patterns on ancient stone tools is an aspect of microwear analysis; experimental archaeology provides added information on the specific activities the tools might have been used for by a) using modern copies of stone tools in a variety of specific tasks b) studying the traces of polish on modern copies of tools after use c) creating categories of tool use according to wear patterns created on modern copies d) all of the above e) none of the above

22. 23.

The study of traded goods is an important part of the investigation of a) exchange


24. 25. 26. 27.

b) our hominin ancestors c) the development of agriculture d) long­term climate change e) none of the above

23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

In describing mechanisms of exchange, “direct access” is used to describe situations where a) the consumer is able to buy whatever they want b) goods are bought from independent middlemen c) trading is done through emissaries who represent a state d) the user goes to the source material without the intervention of an exchange mechanism e) none of the above

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

The idea that the quality of materials tends to decline as the distance from the source of those materials increases is the basic tenant behind a) The Wheeler box grid b) thin­section analysis c) emissary trading d) geomorphology e) fall­off analysis

25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

_____________ were a significant development in pyrotechnology during the Neolithic in the Near East around 8000 bc a) Furnaces for iron smelting b) Furnaces for bronze smelting c) Ovens for bread baking d) Ovens for making faience e) none of the above

26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

The introduction of pottery generally seems to coincide with the adoption of a more sedentary way of life. Paleolithic people may not have created pottery because a) they were not really very smart b) mobile hunter­gatherers would not want to carry heavy fired clay containers around c) clay sources were difficult to find during the Paleolithic because they were often buried under glaciers and ice d) mobile hunter­gatherers were generally too busy hunting to make pottery e) none of the above

27. 28. 29.

All of the following are examples of unaltered materials except a) stone b) wood


30. 31. 32.

c) antler d) copper e) plant and animal fibers

28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

Non­ferrous metal is metal that does not contain a) iron b) gold c) lead d) copper e) zinc

29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34.

The materials that most cultures consider to be valuable a) are made out of gold b) meet a basic human need like food or shelter c) often have no use at all beyond display d) are the ones that are most abundant in their territory e) none of the above

30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

A distribution map a) is the most natural and obvious way to plot distribution b) can be used to find important centers of consumption c) may not always be the best way to study distribution in a given situation d) all of the above e) none of the above

True or False Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Archaeologists know for sure that stone was the most important material to people of the Paleolithic; they never made wood or bone implements. The manufacture of stone heads at Easter Island is less mysterious than most people think: several statues there have even been found unfinished and in quarries. Although quite advanced, the Andean cultures of South America were particularly poor at textile manufacture and never developed any advanced forms of weaving. The one thing that all synthetic materials have in common is that they have never been exposed to heat. The introduction of pottery in an area tends to correspond with the adoption of a sedentary way of life.


6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Because pottery is still widely made around the world, it is a particularly good focus area for ethnoarchaeological research. Iron was not used in the New World before European contact. It is impossible to study any form of trade or exchange in non­literate societies. It is not easy to identify the intentions of the people in the past that left behind hoards, which are usually characterized by a substantial assemblage of goods found in an archaeological deposit. While interaction, in the archaeological sense, does involve the exchange of goods, it does not involve the exchange of information.

Essay Questions 1.

Discuss the evolution of stone tool manufacture. What were the earliest stone tools? What were the major changes in the manufacture of the subsequent tool forms? Include in your answer the specific names of the techniques, the characteristics of each, and significance of each. 2. Most cultures have materials of prestige value but not all cultures value the same materials. Discuss why this might be the case. Be sure to include examples. 3. A major interaction sphere between societies of equal status is competition. Discuss some of the ways that different societies interact through competition.


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