KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH EDUCATION.

COURSE UNIT : FUNDAMENTALS OF ARCHEOLOGY

COURSE CODE : HHS 1102

YEAR : ONE

SEMESTER : ONE

STUDY : EVENING PROGRAMME

TASK : GROUP COURSEWORK

LECTURER’S NAME: DR. CHARLES OKENYI

GROUP R

NO NAME REG NO. SIGN

1 NAKITTO DEBORAH 24/U/AEE/14261/PE

2 BUTEME ERINAH 24/U/AEE/13331/PE
3 WEJA GERALD 24/U/AEE/15039/PE
4 NABAYA SHIFAH 24/U/AEE/14065/PE
5 AKULU REBECCA 23/U/AED/03629/PD
6 NALELA WILBER 24/U/AEE/14284/PE
7 SANYA DEOGRACIUS 24/U/AEE/11518/PE
8 BUGEMBE MOUSA 24/U/AEE/13316/PE
9 OCHIENG DAVID 24/U/AEE/14737/PE
10 AKUN MIRIAM 24/U/AEE/12922/PE
 QUESTION;

Discuss the two main different scopes of archeology. Give six scopes per group.

Entomologically archeology originated from two Greek words Archacos which means “Ancient”
or “past” and Logos which means “study”.

Archaeology is the scientific study of past human societies, primarily through the recovery and
analysis of material culture and environmental data which they have left behind. These include
artifacts, features, Eco facts, or bio facts, and structure. Archaeology can also be defined as the
study of human history and pre-history through the excavation and analysis of artifacts,
structures and other physical remains. It seeks to understand past cultures, societies, and
behaviors by examining material evidence left behind, such as tools, pottery, and architecture.

Archaeology can be broadly divided into different scopes depending on time period (chronology)
and specialization scope. These can be referred to as the scope of archaeology that bring together
the study of human history through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures and other
cultural materials each focusing on different time periods, sources and methodologies. Here is a
detailed breakdown of the two major scopes and six related subfields within each.

1. Chronological scope
Pre-history refers to the period of human history before the existence of written records.
It encompasses a vast time span, starting from the earliest appearance of humans (around
3.3 million years ago) and extending up to the development of writing systems which
began at different times in different parts of the world. Pre-history is divided into three
broad periods based on technological advancements. For instance Paleolithic (Old Stone
Age) which is the earliest and longest phase of pre-history covering the period from
around 3.3million years ago to about 10000 BCE. Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) around
10000 – 60000 BCE depending on the region and marks the transition from hunter –
gatherer societies to more sedentary lifestyles.

Classical archaeology is a scope of archaeology that focuses on the study of ancient

civilization of the Mediterranean, particularly Greece and Rome. During the classical
period (8th century BCE-5th century CE). This era saw the rise and fall of city states,
empires and the development of iconic cultural achievements that continue to influence
western society. Classical archaeology explores the material remains of ancient cultures
including architecture, art, pottery, coins and inscriptions. Archaeologists examine the
contexts in which these artifacts were created, used and discarded to reconstruct the daily
lives, beliefs and values of ancient Greeks and remains. Classical archaeology employs
various techniques including excavation, surveyance and epigraphy (the study of ancient
inscriptions). The discipline has significantly advanced our understanding of ancient
cultures their achievements and their legacy in modern society.

Modern archaeology refers to archaeological practices and theories developed from the
late 19th century to the mid -20th century. It emphasizes systematic excavation,
classification of artifacts, and the use of scientific methods, such as radiocarbon dating.
This era is characterized by a focus on historical contexts and the material of culture of
more recent societies, particularly from the industrial revolution on ward. According to
Lewis Binford in his book of “Archaeology as Anthropology” he is often credited with
advancing archaeological method and theory during this time, emphasizing processual
archaeology which seeks to explain cultural changes through scientific approaches.
Ref: Binford. L. (1962). “Archaeology as Anthropology”. American Antiquity.

Contemporary Archaeology refers to archaeological practices from the late 20th century to
the present, focusing on modern societies and their material remains. It often
incorporates, which consider the subjective interpretation of artifacts and social context
of their use. The field explores themes of identity, memory, and the globalized world.
Michael shanks and Christopher Tilley have been influential in promoting a reflexive
approach that integrates theory with the interpretation of the past.
Ref: Shanks .M., and Tilley C(1987). Social Theory and Archaeology. Cambridge
University Press.

Medieval Archaeology is the study of material remains from the middle Ages, typically
spanning from the 5th to the late 15th centuries. This field examines artifacts, architecture
 and landscapes to understand the social, economic and cultural aspects of medieval
societies. It often combines methods from archaeology, history and art history focusing
on urban sites, rural settlements and burial practices
Ref: Biddle Martin, Medieval Archaeology: The study of Medieval Life and Culture
through Artifacts and Sites. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990. Page 10-15

2. Specialization scope
Environmental Archaeology is the study of past human interactions with the environment
through the analysis of archaeological remains, including artifacts, Eco facts and features.
It focuses on understanding how ancient populations adapted to their environments,
managed methods from archaeology, paleoecology and anthropology to reconstruct past
ecosystems and human behaviors.
Ref: Smith, C.S and Fagan, B.M (2007). The Oxford Hand of Archaeological Theory.
Oxford University Press Page 221-245

Ethno archaeology is the study of contemporary societies and their material culture to
gain insights into human behaviors and practices. It combines methodologies from both
anthropology and archaeology, focusing on how modern-day cultures create, use and
discard material objects.
By observing living communities, ethno archaeologists can draw parallels with
archaeological findings, helping to interpret the past more accurately. According to Shott,
Michael J. Said “Ethno archaeology provides a critical bridge between ethno graphic
observations and archaeological interpretation allowing us to infer the behavior of the
past peoples through their material remnants.
Ref: Shott, Michael J. “Ethno archaeology and the Analysis of Material Culture”.
American Antiquity, Vol. 54, no 1, 1989 Page 70-82

Experimental archaeology emerged in the mid-20th century, influenced by a growing

recognition of the importance of understanding the practical aspects of ancient
technologies. One pivotal figure in this field is the archaeologist David Hurst Thomas,
who emphasized the need for experiments to bridge the gap between theory and practice
in archaeology. Experimental archaeology is a sub discipline of archaeology that involves
the replication of past human behaviors and technologies to gain insights into ancient
people who lived and interacted with their environment. This approach can include
reconstructing tools, building structures or even recreating entire settlements based on
archaeological evidence. The primary goal is to test hypothesis about past practices and
understand the material culture of ancient societies through hands-on experimentation.
David Hurst Thomas in his work, states that, “Experimental archaeology provides a
means to assess the practical implications of archaeological data, transforming passive
observation into active participation
Ref: Thomas, D.H. (2003). Archaeology and the Future: Theoretical and Practical
Approaches.

Archaeometry. The term “archaeometry” was first popularized in the mid-20th century, as
schools begun to recognize the potential of scientific methodologies in archaeological
investigations for instance the introduction of radiocarbon dating in the 1940s
revolutionized the dating of organic materials, allowing more precise chronological frame
works. Archaeometry is an interdisciplinary field that applies scientific techniques and
methods to archaeological research. It combines the principles of archaeology with those
of the natural and physical sciences, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of
archaeological materials, artifacts and contexts. It also encompasses a variety of scientific
discipline including chemistry, physics, and geology and material science. It involves
analysis of artifacts, features and Eco facts to gather data about the composition, age,
production techniques and provenance. Techniques often employed in archaeometry
include radiocarbon dating, isotopic analysis, thermolum-nescence dating and various
forms of spectroscopy.
Ref: Beaumont, J, et al. (2006). “Isotopic studies in archaeology: Past and Future”.
Journal of Archaeological Science.

Cultural resource management. In archaeology is a practice focused on the preservation

and management of cultural resources which include archaeological sites, historical
buildings, artifacts and other elements of cultural heritage. The primary goal of cultural
resource management is to protect and manage these resources in the face of
development, urbanization and other pressures. It operates under various laws and
regulations designed to protect cultural heritage. In the U.S, for example the National
Historic Preservation Act(NHPA) and the Archaeological Resource Protect Act(ARPA)
Provide guidelines for how cultural resources are to be identified, evaluated and
managed. The cultural resource management is not only for protecting cultural heritage
but also for fostering a sense of identity and continuity within communities. It promotes
understanding of the past and helps prevent the loss of significant cultural resources due
to modern development.
Ref: Davis, M,(2017). Cultural Resource Management in Contemporary Society. Oxford
University Press.
Settlement archaeology is a branch of archaeology focused on the study of human
settlement and their spatial organization, structures and artifacts. It seeks to understand
how communities lived, interacted and developed over time. By explaining the layout of
settlements, housing types, infrastructure and surrounding landscapes, researchers can
infer social economic and political dynamics of past cultures. It involves analyzing where
settlements are located, helps to understand resource availability, environmental factors
and trade routes.