Concepts of Garbage

As you realize, archaeology examines the past through the use of garbage, loosely defined as the material that people leave behind. We call these items "artifacts," purposely made and used, transportable objects. How do archaeologists actually deal with these artifacts? It is not as easy as you might think.

Warnings:

1. You cannot think that just because an object looks like something you are familiar with, the object is the same.

2. Objects contain various levels of information. Be sure you understand the ideas of form, function and meaning.

3. Context may be crucial to understanding the objects.

For some help in understanding the complexity of the problems--or perhaps just "udder" confusion--take a look at the problems behind Gray Larson's The Far Side "Cow Tools."

Where do archaeologists start? They begin with classification or, simply put, organization.

Organizing trash

In this exercise, each working group will be given a container with a number of objects in it. Your job is to organize the objects into smaller groups in as many different ways that you can think of. Pay attention to your thought processes as you are doing this. What is the basis of each classification "system" you use? What problems came up as you worked through each scheme? Assign two people to take simple notes on each scheme so they can be described to the whole class.

Key issues, questions and objectives:

1. What different systems of classification could have been used?
2. How can the same objects be classified using different systems?
3. Define form, function and meaning? What does morphology mean?
4. What is the easiest way to start classification?
5. How might different kinds of classification be used?
6. How might classification be related to time?
7. What problems did your group have in classifying the objects?
8. How does context help us understand garbage?

TASK:   Based on what you observed during this lab, write an essay of one page or less in which you consider some common object around you. How might some archaeologist of the future misinterpret this object? What might they think it to be? Why?  Be sure to put your name, ID number, and section number at the top of the page.

Extra Consideration Points: You might enjoy reading David Macaulay's book Motel of the Mysteries. It looks at how archaeologists interpret the discovery of a motel many years in the future. Lots similarities to the interpretations of King Tut's tomb, and funny! The call number in Iowa City Public Library is 818.54/Macaulay. Write a two page review of this book, but use the issue and questions above as part of the review. Possible points: 4

This lab is worth 20 points.

TWIST, University Libraries, The University of Iowa.
Copyright © 1999. The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
URL: http://twist.lib.uiowa.edu/prehistory/012lab2.html
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