ANTH 116
Historical Archaeology
Christopher Lindner
Approximately every 3rd Tues 1:30-5:30
Material vestiges of past human activity are useful to complement or challenge historical information. Archaeology can also uncover transformations of the environment that were unintentionally irresponsible or purposefully planned to create illusions of power over nature. While maintaining a particular focus on the archaeology of African Americans, the course will range from the Carolinas to New England and will frequently connect to the Hudson Valley. Several Tuesday class periods will last until 5:30 to allow time for field trips to nearby sites, including recent excavations on campus, and those weeks class will not meet on Thursday.

ANTH 111
Field Methods in Archaeology
Christopher Lindner
This course concentrates on excavation and initial lab procedures used in archaeology. We continue the long-term dig at Grouse Bluff, the 7,000-year-old site overlooking the Hudson in Bard's woods, focusing on hearths and pits--areas that have indications of the use of fire for cooking or some other purpose. Two digging techniques are emphasized: stratigraphy and small-scale cartography. The fieldwork involves painstaking measurements. These data permit study of the distribution of debris throughout the site, description of deposit formation over time, and comparison with other sites. Such methods increase the strength of inferences about the activities that took place and their roles in the evolution of cultural ecosystems in our area. The excavation and lab sessions take place for six hours on Fridays, with a break for discussion of readings over lunch. Enrollment limited to eight, by permission.