Question 1

Michael Blakey's analysis of some 400 individuals from the First African Baptist Cemetery in Philadelphia revealed

Accepted Answer

Michael Blakey's analysis indicated a high mortality rate among the young, with half the population dying before the age of 12, reflecting the harsh living conditions and health challenges faced by African Americans during that period.

Question 2

American historical archaeologists work to recover the history of communities by excavating the immigrant communities of

Accepted Answer

American historical archaeologists focus on various aspects of past communities, including those of early nineteenth-century mining towns and Chinese railroad labor camps, to understand the diverse experiences and contributions of immigrant groups in the development of the United States.

Question 3

All of the following describe events surrounding the Ludlow Massacre EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Rockefeller, after the Ludlow Massacre, actually made efforts to improve conditions for miners, indicating that the statement "Rockefeller refused to improve living conditions" does not accurately describe events surrounding the Ludlow Massacre.

Question 4

Although much could have been learned about the lives of early American slaves, archaeological research at the African Burial Ground in New York City was never allowed to take place; the City honored the wishes of descendant communities by immediately repatriating and reburying the remains prior to analysis.

Accepted Answer

Archaeological research did take place at the African Burial Ground in New York City, leading to significant insights into the lives of early American slaves. The project included analysis of the remains before they were reburied, in accordance with the wishes of descendant communities and with respect for the cultural and historical significance of the site.

Question 5

The re-examination of the Battle of the Little Big Horn documented that, as was commonly believed by American settlers at the time, Custer and his men had indeed fought calmly and in a controlled manner, well-disciplined to the end.

Accepted Answer

The re-examination of the Battle of the Little Big Horn has shown that the battle was chaotic and not the well-disciplined stand often depicted in early American lore. Evidence suggests Custer's forces were quickly overwhelmed and did not fight in a controlled, disciplined manner to the end.

Question 6

The goals and research interests of historical archaeology have remained largely unchanged since its earliest practice.

Accepted Answer

Historical archaeology has evolved significantly over time, expanding its research interests and goals to include a broader range of topics such as the lives of marginalized groups, the impact of colonialism, and the complex interactions between cultures, which were not as prominently featured in its earliest practice.

Question 7

While historical archaeology is currently one of the most important directions in current archaeology, its development occurred much later in time than did prehistoric archaeology; the earliest historic archaeological excavations did not take place until the mid-20th century.

Accepted Answer

Historical archaeology has been practiced since at least the early 19th century, significantly earlier than the mid-20th century, with some of its roots traceable back to the antiquarian efforts in the Renaissance. It did not begin as late as the mid-20th century; this period marked a time of significant growth and methodological development in the field, not its inception.

Question 8

Why do historical archaeology if we already have the historical records?

Accepted Answer

Historical records can indeed be biased, whether intentionally or unintentionally, due to the perspectives, intentions, and contexts of those who created them. Archaeology provides a means to access physical evidence that can confirm, challenge, or add complexity to the narratives derived from historical documents, offering a more nuanced understanding of the past.

Question 9

Research at Mulberry Row helps us understand

Accepted Answer

Mulberry Row was the industrial hub of Thomas Jefferson's plantation at Monticello, where many enslaved people lived and worked. Research there helps us understand the daily lives, work, and living conditions of slaves at Monticello.

Question 10

In spite of the fact that Thomas Jefferson regarded the institution of slavery as brutal and immoral, and that he himself favored its abolition, he nonetheless had a slave force at times numbering 200 people.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Jefferson, despite his public opposition to slavery and his role in advocating for liberty and equality, owned hundreds of slaves throughout his lifetime at his Monticello plantation and other properties.

Question 11

The Ludlow Tent Camp excavation showed that the Colorado National Guard were wrong about the existence of

Accepted Answer

The Ludlow Tent Camp excavation provided evidence of rifle pits, contradicting the Colorado National Guard's claims that they did not exist, indicating that the miners had prepared defenses against attacks.

Question 12

A major concern of modern historical archaeology is uncovering the histories of disenfranchised groups whose histories have often been ignored or incorrectly recorded.

Accepted Answer

Modern historical archaeology often focuses on giving voice to disenfranchised groups by uncovering and correctly interpreting their histories, which have been either overlooked or misrepresented in traditional historical narratives.

Question 13

Why are there so few African Americans doing archaeology?

Accepted Answer

The lack of opportunities to study archaeology at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) contributes to the underrepresentation of African Americans in the field. This limitation affects their exposure to and participation in archaeology, impacting the diversity of perspectives within the discipline.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about Thomas Jefferson?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true about...

Question 15

Blakey's research team organized to study the African burial Ground in New York included

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies, while geneticists study the genes and heredity of living organisms. Both of these disciplines would be necessary to study the African burial ground in New York, as it would require an understanding of the cultural and genetic history of the people buried there.

Question 16

Although slavery is mostly thought of as a southern institution, it was also deeply engrained in the north; the African Burial Ground in downtown New York City contains the remains of between 10,000 and 20,000 people that were buried there during the 1700s.

Accepted Answer

The African Burial Ground in downtown New York City indeed reveals that slavery was a significant part of Northern colonial history, with the remains of thousands of African slaves buried there from the 17th and 18th centuries, highlighting the widespread nature of slavery beyond the Southern states.

Question 17

Three major areas of historical archaeological research today include

Accepted Answer

Historical archaeology often focuses on providing insights into the lives of historically disenfranchised groups and exploring aspects of the recent past that are not well-documented in historical records, making option D the correct combination of these areas.

Question 18

Modern plantation and slave archaeology is usually aimed at architectural reconstruction, with public education focused on the genteel antebellum way of life, now a thing of the past.

Accepted Answer

Modern plantation and slave archaeology often focuses on uncovering the lives, cultures, and resilience of enslaved people, rather than solely on architectural reconstruction or romanticizing the antebellum era. Public education efforts increasingly aim to provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of these historical contexts.

Quiz 14: Historial Archaeology Insights On American History