Exercise 1
Archaeology Lab ANTL 207
Classifying artifacts – Attribute Analysis
12 January 2010
For this exercise you will first examine the physical characteristics of artifacts recovered from local archaeological sites, noting as many attributes as you can about each artifact on each tray. Work with a partner on this exercise. Once you have noted the physical characteristics of each of the objects, you can take the next step of interpreting their possible functions. Be sure to answer the following questions as completely as you can. If you don’t complete Exercise 1 by today you can finish it Thursday January 14 and turn it in by the end of class then.
Using a piece of your notebook paper, answer the following questions for each artifact on each of the green trays laid out in the Archaeology Lab.
1. Give a designation to each artifact on each tray. Start with the artifacts on the tray nearest to you. The designations can be as simple as “Artifact 1, Artifact 2, Artifact A, Artifact B,” etc. Draw a simple, quick sketch of each artifact on each tray, and label your drawing “Artifact 1, Artifact A” etc.
2. Describe the physical characteristics of each artifact on each tray. Start with the artifacts that are on the tray that’s closest to you. What physical characteristics do you note for each artifact? Use your powers of observation! (Hint: color, shape, material, hardness, anything you think is noteworthy).
3. Interpret the possible function(s) of each artifact on your tray based on the macroscopic (with the naked eye) observations you’ve made. Why do you think certain objects were used for certain activities? On which attributes are you basing your interpretations of function? Why?
4. Do the objects on each tray compose what might be called a functioning assemblage? NOTE: an assemblage can be defined as an associated set of contemporary artifacts that can be considered as a single unit for analysis. In other words, would it make sense for these objects to be found together, say in a single soil deposit you excavated? Why or why not? Be sure to give your reasons.
5. Discuss with your partner the observations and interpretations you made for each of the objects on your tray. How were their observations & interpretations the same or different? Finally, nominate one (or at most two) artifacts on your tray for the weirdest artifact in class. Which one is the strangest or most peculiar and why?
6. Why is it particularly difficult for you to interpret the function(s) of some of the artifacts on your tray? What kinds of information, if they were available, would make it easier for you to understand how certain objects on your tray may have been used in the past?