This writing assignment is your opportunity to critically assess information about a recent archaeological find that interests you. Each student will evaluate a popular article about an archaeological discovery by: (1) identifying the claim being made, (2) identifying the evidence being used to support the claim, (3) evaluating whether the claim is believable, and (4) identifying additional information that might be useful to further test the claim. Your paper will meet the following criteria:
You should choose a “recent finding” from the press and write a 3-4 page synopsis about it.
Any archaeological find reported within the past three years is acceptable as long as it is from a site that is ca. 200 years old or older (i.e. before A.D. 1800)
Reports from excavations of non-human fossils are not appropriate. (e.g. Reports on dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, and prehistoric fish will not be accepted.)
You must include at least four references; only one of these may be from non-academic internet sources and you should include your textbook. (Note that peer-reviewed, e-journal articles are not included as internet sources). Obviously, none of those sources can be Wikipedia. Be aware that the internet is full of redundant information. Many online news pages get their stories from the same source (e.g. Associated Press, etc.). Redundant sources count as one source and will negatively affect your grade on the assignment. If you have questions about sources please ask me.
Research help is available through the University Library:
The library website is available here: https://library.csustan.edu/home (Links to an external site.)
Hours and links to chat/text/talk with a reference librarian are here: https://library.csustan.edu/calendar (Links to an external site.)
The Library’s COVID-19 response page is here: https://library.csustan.edu/covid19 (Links to an external site.)
Your report should include the following details:
The name and location of the place where the discovery was made, as well as relevant details of the country and the landscape.
Include dates (age) of the find/site and how they were derived. If not yet dated, what technique would you use to date it?
Identify the archaeological culture represented by the find.
Identify where the archaeologist or team that did the work. Who were they? Where are they from?
Include a description of the find. What is the material evidence presented?
In addition to the above, you should present a critical assessment of the following points using what youve learned in this class (i.e. use your textbook and/or class notes!):
What is the question or hypothesis about human behavior that drives the research? Does the evidence presented support the question or hypothesis?
Is there information presented about the context and provenience of the find? What about the site formation processes that may have affected the find? If not explicitly stated, what can you infer from the content of the article is it undisturbed, looted, etc.?
Give an explanation of how the findings alter and/or add to our understanding of the culture. In other words, what do we now know that we didnt before the discovery of this find?
Include an explanation of what additional data or research may be needed to resolve any data t raise questions about the find. Do others express questions about the accuracy or integrity of the data? Are alternate viewpoints or hypotheses presented?
Please format your paper using the these formatting guidelines:
The final assignment is due before our class meeting on Due Thursday Dec 2 at 12:00PM, via the Turn-It-In link on the Assignments page in Canvas. The paper is worth 50 points toward your final grade. To earn full credit the final version must be typed, double-spaced, at least three full pages and no more than five full pages (12 point, Times font, 1-inch margins). It should be written in complete sentences, spell checked, pages numbered, and you will need to address all points discussed above.
Do not include a title page; put only your name in the header. Do not quote the text or any sources. Everything should be in your own words. Properly cite all your sources in parentheses in your text and include them all in a References Cited section at the end of your paper (this does not need to begin on a new page). Choose whatever style you like (Chicago, MLA, AAA, etc.) but be consistent with your choice. This is not a creative writing assignment, so please present all your information, methods, and interpretations in a logical and rational manner. As always, please contact me if you have any questions about the assignment, your topic, or anything else.
One reference has to be:
2018 Archaeology Essentials: Theories/Methods/Practice, 4th Edition. Thames & Hudson, NY, NY. ISBN 9780500841389
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