ARCA1002 Archaeology an Introduction. Notes. Week 11. Lectures 01 and 02.

ARCA 1002 ARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION

University of Sydney

Trade = tends to mean material goods/commodities Exchange = all interpersonal contacts; all social behaviours are an exchange of goods, material and non-material, including information. * The main way that archaeology recognises trade is through the presence of exotic goods * Arch. Study is about uncovering linkages and determining nature and intensity of exchange & contact By establishing a link, we can start to think about * Flow of ideas, cultural information, religion, language * flow of technology and innovation * flow of people and genes 1. Mechanics of trade and information flow The method of contact, routes, Networks and systems in place. Relevant to study of cultural change - main Mechanisms of cultural change - Invention, Diffusion, Migration. 2. Trade connections - The goods being exchanged - The people doing the exchanging. 3. How Trade can operate at two levels Internally; within a society (close proximity) Externally; across cultural boundaries, (greater distances). 4. Social interaction and distribution a. Reciprocity: between two individuals or groups * positive (generosity); close kin and regular interaction * balanced (equal): with people who are well known to each other * negative (try for profit): more distant person or stranger. b. Redistribution - trade goods move to/from a central place c. Market Exchange - regulation, in terms of location and trade organisation.

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ARCA1002 Archaeology an Introduction. Notes. Week 11. Lectures 01 and 02.

Reciprocity

Redistribution

Market Exchange

5. Value & Valuables - Rarity, difficulty of transport, manufacture or preparation, distance from source, nature of source (including 'sacred' qualities), and the social role of the object. 6. Distribution Analysis - mapping of locations of finds, quantitative studies, 'Fall-off' analysis:

7. Exchange Systems and Interaction Spheres * Competition: * Competitive emulation: * Warfare: * Transmission of innovation: * Symbolic entrainment: * Ceremonial exchange of valuables: * Flow of commodities, * Language & Ethnicity: ARCA1002 Week 11b Cognitive Archaeology Cognitive Archaeology study of past ways of thought through examination of material remains. (including) Tools Language Site structure Art & representation Iconography The study of ancient beliefs through symbols Analysis of the way(s) that ancient peoples represented religious, political, ideological or cosmological objects or concepts in art. (Flannery & Marcus 1993, cited in Fagan p455) Ideology
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ARCA1002 Archaeology an Introduction. Notes. Week 11. Lectures 01 and 02.

The knowledge or beliefs developed by human societies (as part of cultural adaptation)

Cognitive Map A perception of the world Interpretive framework based on existing knowledge which allows you to act in the world Development of Symbols of measurement to assist in organising the world - time - weights & measures Symbols to help us cope with a future world by planning - calenders Symbols to organise and regulate social relations - social ranking - group identity Symbols to represent and regulate human relations with the other (spirit) world - burials - adornment & decoration for the dead Symbols to describe the world through depiction. - art? - memory aid? - move to development of writing systems? - Form of communication?

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