A2 A2 ArchaeologyArchaeology

AQA Level 3AQA Level 3

A2 Archaeology UnitsA2 Archaeology Units► Unit 3: World ArchaeologyUnit 3: World Archaeology

Section A Section A ►2 Questions on Themes in World 2 Questions on Themes in World

Archaeology.Archaeology.

Section BSection B►1 Question on Contemporary Issues 1 Question on Contemporary Issues

in World Archaeologyin World Archaeology

► Unit 4: Archaeology Unit 4: Archaeology InvestigationInvestigation CourseworkCoursework

► Internally marked, externally Internally marked, externally moderated by AQA.moderated by AQA.

► 30% of A Level30% of A Level 2hour exam2hour exam 90 marks90 marks

► 20% of A Level20% of A Level 3500-3500-

4000words4000words 60 marks60 marks

Unit 3 World ArchaeologyUnit 3 World Archaeology►OverviewOverview

Students are introduced to a range of Students are introduced to a range of themes in world archaeology, building on themes in world archaeology, building on skills and knowledge learnt in the AS Units.skills and knowledge learnt in the AS Units.

►Section A: Themes in World Section A: Themes in World ArchaeologyArchaeology People and Society in the PastPeople and Society in the Past Sites and People in the LandscapeSites and People in the Landscape Economies and Material CultureEconomies and Material Culture

►Section B: Contemporary Issues in Section B: Contemporary Issues in World ArchaeologyWorld Archaeology

Today...Today...

►Looking at settlement sites and how Looking at settlement sites and how we study themwe study them

SettlementSettlement

► What is a site?What is a site? A A sitesite is an area of past human activity. is an area of past human activity.

►Any size or period from a single grave to an entire Any size or period from a single grave to an entire settlement.settlement.

►Also includes a cluster of artefacts.Also includes a cluster of artefacts.

► What is a structure?What is a structure? A A structurestructure is a building of any size or function. is a building of any size or function.

►Could range from a few post holes to a standing building.Could range from a few post holes to a standing building.►Each requires its own method of excavation.Each requires its own method of excavation.►Recording individual features (walls, floors, windows etc.) Recording individual features (walls, floors, windows etc.)

will facilitate a reconstruction and interpretation of the will facilitate a reconstruction and interpretation of the structure and its function.structure and its function.

SettlementSettlement

►What is a settlement?What is a settlement? A A settlementsettlement is a group of structures and the is a group of structures and the

spaces associated with them used by a spaces associated with them used by a community over a period of time.community over a period of time.►The boundaries of the settlement are also important.The boundaries of the settlement are also important.►May be transitory, semi-permanent or permanent.May be transitory, semi-permanent or permanent.►Can be studied by survey and/or excavation.Can be studied by survey and/or excavation.

►What is a landscape?What is a landscape? For settlement archaeology, a For settlement archaeology, a landscapelandscape is the is the

space between individual settlements.space between individual settlements.►Different types e.g. social landscape, political landscape.Different types e.g. social landscape, political landscape.

Sources of Sources of archaeologiarchaeological finds in cal finds in Denmark Denmark

1919thth to 20 to 20thth Centuries.Centuries.

Settlement StudiesSettlement Studies

► 1950s -1950s - Pioneers like Gordon Willey Pioneers like Gordon Willey (settlement study in (settlement study in

the Virthe Virú ú Valley,Valley, Peru). Peru).

► 1960s - 1960s - “New Archaeology” & “New “New Archaeology” & “New Geography”, Lewis Geography”, Lewis

Binford.Binford.

► 1970s -1970s - Spatial archaeology, D.L. Spatial archaeology, D.L. Clarke, Ian Hodder and Clarke, Ian Hodder and

Clive Clive Orton.Orton.

Settlement StudiesSettlement Studies

► Bruce Trigger -Bruce Trigger - 3 levels of settlement.3 levels of settlement.1.1. The building structure.The building structure.

2.2. The arrangement of structures within individual The arrangement of structures within individual communities.communities.

3.3. The distribution of communities across the The distribution of communities across the landscape.landscape.

► What are the main methods of the What are the main methods of the discovery and field surveydiscovery and field survey of sites of sites and settlements?and settlements?

Settlement StudiesSettlement Studies

SMR / NMRSMR / NMR Old maps and Old maps and

documentsdocuments Local knowledgeLocal knowledge Aerial Aerial

photographyphotography

GISGIS Field walkingField walking Field surveyingField surveying Geophysical Geophysical

surveying.surveying.

►What are the main methods of the What are the main methods of the discovery and field surveydiscovery and field survey of sites of sites and settlements?and settlements?

GISGIS

Geographical Information Geographical Information Systems.Systems.

GISGIS

► GIS is a collection of computer hardware, GIS is a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. of geographically referenced information.

► Makes use of data collected from a variety of Makes use of data collected from a variety of sources, including data from satellites.sources, including data from satellites.

► Interprets information in a visual way.Interprets information in a visual way.► Can be used to predict areas for prospection.Can be used to predict areas for prospection.► www.gis.com/

GISGIS

► Starts with the blank canvas of the Earth.Starts with the blank canvas of the Earth.► Adds layers of information which can be shown Adds layers of information which can be shown

or hidden as necessary.or hidden as necessary.► One layer might be the geology and another One layer might be the geology and another

human settlement.human settlement.► Layers have not remained static through time.Layers have not remained static through time.

For example, a vegetation layer needs dividing into For example, a vegetation layer needs dividing into time periods.time periods.

► Information can then be displayedInformation can then be displayed Tables and charts but visually as a reconstruction.Tables and charts but visually as a reconstruction.

Why is GIS useful to Why is GIS useful to archaeology?archaeology?

►Deals with spatial dataDeals with spatial data Excavations and surveyExcavations and survey

► Interpretation is dependant on Interpretation is dependant on understanding spatial relationshipsunderstanding spatial relationships

►Recording relationships on maps/plansRecording relationships on maps/plans Able to compare them.Able to compare them. Multiple scalesMultiple scales Large regionsLarge regions

►Can handle large amounts of data.Can handle large amounts of data.

AveburAveburyy

AveburyAvebury► The dataThe data

Basemap:Basemap: Ordnance Survey 1:10000 raster. Ordnance Survey 1:10000 raster. Archaeology:Archaeology: cleaned and enhanced Wiltshire County Council cleaned and enhanced Wiltshire County Council

Sites and Monuments Record. Sites and Monuments Record. Height Data:Height Data: Ordnance Survey Land-Form PROFILE and EH Ordnance Survey Land-Form PROFILE and EH

Survey Services data. Survey Services data. Aerial Photographs:Aerial Photographs: 1:10000 vertical colour imagery. 1:10000 vertical colour imagery. Satellite Data:Satellite Data: KVR 1000 Russian satellite imagery (ground KVR 1000 Russian satellite imagery (ground

resolution around 1.5 - 3m). resolution around 1.5 - 3m). Land Use:Land Use: only select areas so far. only select areas so far. Land Ownership:Land Ownership: areas owned by the National Trust. areas owned by the National Trust. Survey Coverage:Survey Coverage: linked to an associated text database. linked to an associated text database.

Shows areas of geophysical survey, fieldwalking, augering and Shows areas of geophysical survey, fieldwalking, augering and test-pitting.test-pitting.

Flint Density Distribution:Flint Density Distribution: results collated from various results collated from various fieldwalking surveys. fieldwalking surveys.

Roads and Boundaries:Roads and Boundaries: including the extents of scheduled including the extents of scheduled monument areas. monument areas.

A shaded Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of Avebury.

Avebury (Aerial photo over a digital elevation

model)

Changing landscapesChanging landscapes

► Important to think about geology when Important to think about geology when examining Palaeolithic and Mesolithic examining Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites.sites.

These periods witnessed great climatic These periods witnessed great climatic changes (the Ice Age).changes (the Ice Age).

Ice melting caused the sea level to rise and Ice melting caused the sea level to rise and sites and the land bridge with the Continent sites and the land bridge with the Continent was lost to the sea.was lost to the sea.

The topography and coastline changed.The topography and coastline changed.

Historic LandscapesHistoric Landscapes

►Historic landscapes can also be Historic landscapes can also be recreated using a mixture of:recreated using a mixture of:

ArchaeologyArchaeology Field surveyField survey Written records.Written records.

Reconstructing Past Reconstructing Past LandscapesLandscapes

►Archaeology has moved from ‘site to Archaeology has moved from ‘site to settlement to landscape archaeology’.settlement to landscape archaeology’.

This study is in its infancy.This study is in its infancy. It is a way of examining the relationship It is a way of examining the relationship

between human societies of the past and between human societies of the past and their environment.their environment.

Settlement PatternsSettlement Patterns

Today?Today? In the past?In the past?

►How do people choose where to How do people choose where to settle?settle?

European settlers in New ZealandIsraeli settlement on the West bank

How do people choose where How do people choose where to settle?to settle?

► Today?Today? Close to amenitiesClose to amenities

►Schools, jobs, shops, hospitals, religious houses, Schools, jobs, shops, hospitals, religious houses, entertainment, etc.entertainment, etc.

Good transport linksGood transport links►Buses, trains, road networks, ferries, airports etc.Buses, trains, road networks, ferries, airports etc.

Close to family & friendsClose to family & friends►VisitingVisiting►Looking after relativesLooking after relatives

EnvironmentEnvironment►Rural / urbanRural / urban

IncentivesIncentives►Financial helpFinancial help

How do people choose where How do people choose where to settle?to settle?

► In the past?In the past? Close to amenitiesClose to amenities

►Fresh water, good hunting grounds, arable land, fishing Fresh water, good hunting grounds, arable land, fishing locations, woodland, ritual locations, markets etc.locations, woodland, ritual locations, markets etc.

Good transport linksGood transport links►Coastal locations, rivers & streams, roads?Coastal locations, rivers & streams, roads?

Close to family & friendsClose to family & friends►VisitingVisiting►Looking after relativesLooking after relatives

EnvironmentEnvironment►Hilltop for defence, woodlands / coastal for resourcesHilltop for defence, woodlands / coastal for resources

IncentivesIncentives►ResourcesResources►Expansion of territoryExpansion of territory

Settlement PatternsSettlement Patterns

► An investigation of settlement patterns is a An investigation of settlement patterns is a branch of branch of spatial analysisspatial analysis in archaeology. in archaeology.

►Distribution patterns used to study ancient Distribution patterns used to study ancient human relationship with the environment.human relationship with the environment.

► Settlement patterns are studied by plotting Settlement patterns are studied by plotting all the known sites onto maps (or GIS).all the known sites onto maps (or GIS). Only contemporary sitesOnly contemporary sites Categorise settlements Categorise settlements

►Size & Hierarchy (if known) – village, town, city etc. Size & Hierarchy (if known) – village, town, city etc. Boundary & territoryBoundary & territory Similar depth of investigation for all areas to Similar depth of investigation for all areas to

prevent biased or unbalanced distribution prevent biased or unbalanced distribution patterns.patterns.

ClassificatiClassification of on of

SocietiesSocieties

(Renfrew & (Renfrew & Bahn,2000:Bahn,2000:

175)175)

Site StatusSite Status

► Settlement may be ranked in a similar way to Settlement may be ranked in a similar way to social groups.social groups.

► Settlements are often excavated as individual Settlements are often excavated as individual unique areas – but this is only part of the story: unique areas – but this is only part of the story: -- Link with other settlements through social, political Link with other settlements through social, political

or economic ties.or economic ties. Does not include settlement hierarchy.Does not include settlement hierarchy. Size / scale of buildings in the settlement is Size / scale of buildings in the settlement is

important.important. Social and economic relationship of the society which Social and economic relationship of the society which

occupied them is more important.occupied them is more important.► Interaction of: - Interaction of: -

Humans and their environment.Humans and their environment. Humans and humans.Humans and humans.

Rhos-on-Sea Old Colwyn Colwyn Heights

Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay

Conwy

Cardiff

London

Europe

Site StatusSite Status

►Possible site categoriesPossible site categories Regional centreRegional centre Local centreLocal centre Nucleated villageNucleated village Dispersed villageDispersed village HamletHamlet

►Based on size, chronological range Based on size, chronological range (finds and features) etc.(finds and features) etc.

Evolution of settlementsEvolution of settlements

►Not static and tend to evolve.Not static and tend to evolve.

►They grow in size.They grow in size. Linear patterns.Linear patterns. Growing outwards from a nucleus (nuclear).Growing outwards from a nucleus (nuclear).

►Sometimes, the opposite happens (site Sometimes, the opposite happens (site abandonment).abandonment).

Central Place TheoryCentral Place Theory

►Developed by a German geographer Walter Developed by a German geographer Walter Christaller in the 1930s.Christaller in the 1930s. Explained spacing and functions of cities & towns Explained spacing and functions of cities & towns

in modern southern Germany.in modern southern Germany. Argued that:Argued that:

► In a uniform landscape (no mountains, rivers etc. to get In a uniform landscape (no mountains, rivers etc. to get in the way) the spatial patterning of settlements would in the way) the spatial patterning of settlements would be perfectly regular.be perfectly regular.

►Central places of the same size and nature would be Central places of the same size and nature would be situated equi-distance from each other surrounded by a situated equi-distance from each other surrounded by a constellation of secondary centres with their own constellation of secondary centres with their own smaller satellites.smaller satellites.

►Hexagonal patterns.Hexagonal patterns.

City Town Village Hamlet

Key:-

Central Place TheoryCentral Place Theory

►Perfect conditions do not occur in nature.Perfect conditions do not occur in nature.►However, it is possible to detect some form However, it is possible to detect some form

of this theory in ancient cities and towns.of this theory in ancient cities and towns. Major centres will be some distance from Major centres will be some distance from

neighbouring cities.neighbouring cities. Surrounded by ring of lesser settlements in a Surrounded by ring of lesser settlements in a

hierarchical nested pattern.hierarchical nested pattern. Major centres then supply goods and services to Major centres then supply goods and services to

surrounding area expecting something in return.surrounding area expecting something in return.

Site HierarchySite Hierarchy

► Sites usually ranked by size.Sites usually ranked by size. Less main centres (cities), more small Less main centres (cities), more small

settlements (villages and hamlets).settlements (villages and hamlets).► Can be displayed in a histogram.Can be displayed in a histogram.

Ease of comparison:Ease of comparison:►Different regions, periods, types of society.Different regions, periods, types of society.

► The type of society will determine the The type of society will determine the variation and size of sites.variation and size of sites.

► ““The more hierarchical the settlement The more hierarchical the settlement pattern, the more hierarchical the society.” pattern, the more hierarchical the society.”

(Refrew&Bahn,2000:179).(Refrew&Bahn,2000:179).

Thiessen PolygonsThiessen Polygons

►Geometric shapes that divide an area into a Geometric shapes that divide an area into a number of different territoriesnumber of different territories Each focussed on a single site.Each focussed on a single site. Straight lines between neighbouring sites.Straight lines between neighbouring sites. Then, at the mid-point along each of these lines Then, at the mid-point along each of these lines

a second series of lines, at right-angles to the a second series of lines, at right-angles to the first.first.

► Problems: -Problems: - Doesn’t take into account difference in status of Doesn’t take into account difference in status of

sites.sites.►So only use for sites of equal rank (status).So only use for sites of equal rank (status).

Also doesn’t work unless sites are contemporary.Also doesn’t work unless sites are contemporary.

City

Key: -

XTENT ModellingXTENT Modelling

► Aims to assign territories to centres Aims to assign territories to centres depending on their scaledepending on their scale.. Something the other theories didn’t do.Something the other theories didn’t do.

► Assumes a large centre will dominate over Assumes a large centre will dominate over nearby small centres.nearby small centres. Territory of small site is absorbed into larger Territory of small site is absorbed into larger

ones territory.ones territory.► Assumes size of centre is directly Assumes size of centre is directly

proportional to its area of influence.proportional to its area of influence. Bell or bell tent shape.Bell or bell tent shape.

► If two centres areas of influence overlap the If two centres areas of influence overlap the bigger centre dominates.bigger centre dominates.

Case Study: MesopotamiaCase Study: Mesopotamia

►Diyala region of Mesopotamia (east of Diyala region of Mesopotamia (east of Bagdad in modern Iraq).Bagdad in modern Iraq).

►Work by Gregory Johnson.Work by Gregory Johnson. 39 settlements from Early Dynastic period 39 settlements from Early Dynastic period

(c. 2800BC).(c. 2800BC). From 25 hectares (60 acres) to one-tenth From 25 hectares (60 acres) to one-tenth

of a hectare (0.25 acres).of a hectare (0.25 acres). 5 categories – large towns, towns, large 5 categories – large towns, towns, large

villages, small villages & hamlets.villages, small villages & hamlets.

Diyala Diyala region, region,

IraqIraqEarly Early

Dynastic Dynastic PeriodPeriod

Idealised CPT & Best Fit CPTIdealised CPT & Best Fit CPT

HierarchHierarchy, Warka y, Warka

area, area, Late Late Uruk Uruk

Period.Period.

XTENT XTENT model model

territoriesterritories,,

Warka Warka area,area,

Late Uruk Late Uruk Period.Period.

Four or Five centres emerge.Four or Five centres emerge.

Homework!!!Homework!!!

Due Thur Oct 13Due Thur Oct 13thth

(two weeks time)(two weeks time)

Make a plan of your Make a plan of your personal study.personal study.