Question 1

Archaeologists have an obligation to consider views that differ from their own equally valid; this includes frivolous claims made by individuals such as Erick von Däniken's claims that the Egyptian pyramids were built by aliens.

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists have an obligation to consider different viewpoints based on evidence and scholarly debate, but they are not required to treat claims lacking scientific evidence, such as those made by Erick von Däniken about aliens building the pyramids, as equally valid to well-supported archaeological research.

Question 2

The fact that Kodiak Island native community leaders granted permission for archaeological excavations, as well as provided funding and student interns for the project, showed that Alutiiq people do not object to archaeology, but to an archaeology that sees their participation as unnecessary.

Accepted Answer

The involvement of Kodiak Island native community leaders in granting permission, providing funding, and supplying student interns for archaeological excavations demonstrates the Alutiiq people's support for archaeology that includes and values their participation, contrasting with opposition to approaches that disregard their involvement.

Question 3

Research clearly demonstrates that the Bighorn Medicine Wheel in northern Wyoming was intentionally designed as an astronomical observatory, specifically to mark the summer and winter solstices.

Accepted Answer

While the Bighorn Medicine Wheel may align with certain astronomical events, there is no definitive evidence proving it was intentionally designed as an astronomical observatory for solstices. Its purpose remains speculative and may have had multiple cultural or ceremonial functions.

Question 4

Archaeologists are playing an increasingly important role in the investigation of human rights abuses; for instance, professional archaeologists have been involved in recovering MIAs in Vietnam, excavating mass graves in South and Central America, and investigating massacre sites in places such as Croatia, El Salvador, and Rwanda.

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists possess unique skills in excavation and analysis of human remains and artifacts, which are crucial for uncovering evidence of human rights abuses, identifying victims, and providing closure for families. Their involvement in such investigations across various global contexts, including Vietnam, South and Central America, and countries like Croatia, El Salvador, and Rwanda, demonstrates the expanding role of archaeology beyond traditional historical and prehistorical studies into the realm of forensic and humanitarian efforts.

Question 5

Forensic archaeology involves using established archaeological techniques and knowledge to assist law enforcement agencies for legal purposes.

Accepted Answer

Forensic archaeology applies archaeological methods to crime scene investigations and legal cases, aiding in the recovery and analysis of human remains and associated evidence.

Question 6

When Garbage Project workers investigated alcohol consumption in a sample of Tucson households, they found that the amount of beer people reported drinking and the amount of beer that they actually drank were quite different.

Accepted Answer

The Garbage Project, which studied household waste to understand consumer behavior, found discrepancies between self-reported alcohol consumption and the actual amounts of alcohol-related waste, indicating that people often underreport their alcohol consumption.

Question 7

One way or another, virtually all archaeological research depends on public support.

Accepted Answer

Archaeological research often relies on funding, permissions, and interest from the public and governmental bodies, making public support crucial for its continuation and success.

Question 8

Although archaeology can provide important information about what has happened in the past, the usefulness of archaeology is limited to largely intellectual pursuits; practical applications of archaeology that actual benefit the modern world are extremely rare.

Accepted Answer

Archaeology has practical applications beyond intellectual pursuits, including informing urban planning and construction by identifying and preserving historical sites, contributing to climate change studies through the analysis of ancient environmental conditions, and aiding in forensic investigations by applying archaeological techniques to solve modern crimes.

Question 9

Archaeologist Richard Gould (Brown University) developed a volunteer archaeological unit including safety, medical, and public affairs experts designed to help at disaster scenes; this unit is called Forensic Archaeology Recover (FAR).

Accepted Answer

Richard Gould did indeed establish the Forensic Archaeology Recovery (FAR) team, which is designed to assist in disaster scenes by providing expertise in archaeological methods and practices, along with safety, medical, and public affairs support.

Question 10

Despite the high profile, few archaeologists are involved in public education.

Accepted Answer

Many archaeologists are actively involved in public education and outreach, engaging with schools, communities, and through media to share their findings and the importance of preserving archaeological sites.

Question 11

Because it is illegal to rummage through people's garbage, Rathje and colleagues needed to obtain written permission from every household whose garbage they analyzed.

Accepted Answer

Rathje and colleagues did not need to obtain written permission from every household because once the garbage is placed outside for collection, it is considered public domain, and there are no legal expectations of privacy.

Question 12

Archaeology can be used to further the political interests of particular groups of people. Nazi archaeologists, for example, argued that agriculture, music and writing systems first appeared in northern Germany and spread throughout the world from there; Hitler used such information to justify the need for Nazi domination of the world.

Accepted Answer

Archaeology has been used historically to support political ideologies, as in the case of Nazi archaeologists who manipulated archaeological findings to promote the superiority of the Aryan race, furthering the political interests of the Nazi regime.

Quiz 16: Archaeology Apos S Future