Sunday Round Up: Top Archaeology and Anthropology News 1/30/2011

Evolution teaching poor in U.S. high schools Most U.S. high school biology teachers "fail to forthrightly explain evolutionary biology," finds an educator survey. And at least 13% "strongly support" teaching creationism. Recent advances in the study of human evolution . A poster for a 1985 lecture by Alan Walker. Evolution, the inheritance of changed characteristics across generations, is the fundamental unifying concept underlying biology, as a National Research Council science education standards released in 1996 noted. That report said, "... 'biological evolution' cannot be eliminated from the life science standards." ~USAToday

Looters Smash Treasures And Mummies In Egyptian Museum Looters broke into the Cairo museum housing the world's greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures, smashing several statues and damaging two mummies, while police battled anti-government protesters on the streets.  Arabiya television showed soldiers, armed and in battle fatigues, patrolling the museum that houses tens of thousands of objects in its galleries and storerooms, including most of the King Tutankhamen collection. Display cases were shattered and several broken statues and porcelain figures lay on the floor.  ~New York Times

This Week In Pennsylvania Archaeology The production of stone tools dates to 2.6 million years. By the time our ancestors arrived in Pennsylvania, at least 16,000 years ago, they had mastered this technology and were using relatively sophisticated flint knapping techniques. During Paleoindian times (11,150 to 10,000 years ago), these early inhabitants in Pennsylvania quickly discovered the best quality stone for tool manufacture, preferring cherts and jaspers. Paleoindians frequently traveled well over 200 km to obtain the highest quality material in the region. Metarhyolite and quartz were added to the list of preferred lithic materials for chipped stone tools during the Early Archaic period (10,000 to 9000 years ago). By Middle Archaic times (9000 to 6000 years ago), there did not seem to be strong lithic preferences and Native Americans used a variety of materials that were available locally. ~This Week In Pennsylvania Archaeology

Tony Moore makes 'Footsteps of Jesus' series You may have seen Tony Moore on TV, talking about the Holy Land in a series called “In the Footsteps of Paul,” which seeks to bring to life the historical and cultural world of the Bible. Actually, Moore prefers to call it Bible Land. “I don’t consider it holy,” he says, “but it is where the stories happened, so it’s special.” Those who knew Moore when he was a teenager in Salisbury might be surprised to learn how far he’s come since the wild days of his youth. Moore, who now lives in Chino, Calif., was in town recently following the death of his father, Billy Moore, and he found a few hours to talk to the Post about his life’s path. Middle Eastern Stone Age Tools Mark Earlier Date for Human Migration out of Africa Just beyond a shallow, narrow sea lay an open topography of grassy savanna, populated by plentiful game and few predators. This watery barrier—likely not more than five kilometers wide—would have been but a small obstacle for a group of modern humans accustomed to navigating African lakes with boats and rafts. But this short crossing, enabled by coincidental climate change, might have led the species—possibly for the first time—out of Africa and into Arabia, and eventually deeper into Asia, Europe and the rest of the globe. ~Scientific American What lies beneath - Local archaeologists dig up Surrey's medieval past Today Preston Haw in Tadworth is a typical-looking residential area -- but strange lumps and bumps in the grass betray a surprising secret. The area was the site of a medieval settlement 800 years ago. Although excavated by eminent archaeologist Brian Hope-Taylor in the 1950s a local group of volunteers is finding out all about the area's history. Reporters Steven and Barnaby drop by to find out what they have unearthed. Newnham College excavation When Cambridge University Lecturer in Archaeology Dr Catherine Hills discovered that Anglo Saxon remains could be buried in the grounds of Newnham College, Cambridge, she and her colleagues set about organising a dig to find them. Key to its success would be the help of 20 sixth-form girls from schools in London, Birmingham and Peterborough, all of whom stayed in the college for a week to sample life at Cambridge. What did the girls make of their stay? And did they unearth skeletons in the garden? Expedition Congo2010 - archaeology DR Congo Els Cornelissen at work near Congo River (DRCongo) -Expedition congo2010 - Pottery www.africamuseum.be

Stanford archaeologist shows how the Romans made pottery in Britain In the shadow of Hadrian's Wall, Roman soldiers defended their empire's northern borders in Great Britain, passed the time in their bathhouses and inevitably drank a lot of wine. They also made an awful lot of pots. But how? Melissa Chatfield, a research fellow in ceramic geoarchaeology, was determined to find out. Hence, way out on the edge of the Stanford campus, a narrow column of pale smoke rose behind the Stanford Community Farm building last weekend. The source was a 5-foot-high grass mound atop a 12-foot-square wooden box. It was modeled on several ancient kilns in England dating to the first century B.C. and the early Roman kilns that followed. Chatfield and her crew had been creating the mound for six weeks. Climb up on the wet grass and peer down into the hole: About 40 pots glowed in the orange flames in the interior of the kiln, lined with granite cobbles. ~Archaeology Daily

Berlin shows off real-life 'Indiana Jones' treasures A treasure trove of 3,000-year-old giant birds, lions, and goddesses goes on show in Berlin on Friday with a past so incredible that it could rival archaeology action film hero Indiana Jones. The story kicks off nearly 100 years ago when Max von Oppenheim, the son of a rich German banker, fell in love with the Middle East as a diplomat keeping an eye on British empire-building. He stumbled across the ruined palace of an Aramaean king, buried in the desert, as German engineers toiled on the nearby Berlin to Baghdad railway line along what is today the Turkish-Syrian border. After two digs, from 1911-1913 and 1927-1929, Oppenheim brought back many of his finds to Berlin where they were housed in their own museum. ~Sify News

Open Access Archaeology: Two Different Approaches Archaeological site information is a precious commodity; once material is fully excavated it is the only knowledge we have of the site. After spending, years (or even decades) excavating a site the information can become packed away in a few notebooks or boxes, lost in the realm of gray material, and not uncovered until needed by another regional specialist or graduate student. Some information becomes a heavily guarded secret to prevent loss of material, either due to looting of the site or forced return due to NAGPRA. A third option now exists: make the information visible on the internet. This is the option that I am advocating for: open access archaeology. ~Cultural Heritage Informatics Initiative

Kinship: A Short Comparison of Unilineal and Bilineal Descent

Descent is described as a permanent social unit whose members claim common ancestry. There are two different descent groups when considering the difference between unilineal and bilineal descent.

Lineage-a group that can prove common decent from an ancestor.

Clan-claims it but can’t demonstrate it (IE the 12 Tribes of Israel).

Unilineal Descent

Unilineal traces the descent through both the patriline and the matriline and the only way to be attached to this lineage is to be born into it, and consequently the only way out, is to die. This can be seen in the blood lines of the Tudors, whereas the only way to add to the direct line of the lineage is to bear children. The end of the line, however, is when the last of the lineage dies, therefore not passing his or her blood line to the next generation. In any case, a person with one such lineage will state the same line of persons every time. Everyone is related in some sense.

Read the entire article  Difference Between Unilineal and Bilineal Descent for Size of Groups in a Culture via Ancient Digger at Socyberty

Archaeologist Aaron Levinthal Digging Up Ocean City's Culture

Have you ever wondered what lurks beneath those lovely flowers in your garden? Perhaps an odd mound is present on your 10 acre farm.

Aaron Levinthal thinks about that all the time. But he doesn't just wonder; he digs down to discover, but more importantly, to gain a better understanding of those who lived here before us.

His carefully trained eyes see things differently than most of us do. "The coolest thing, really, is that most people don't realize what's under the grass in their own backyard," says Levinthal. "With a little education, you gain a new perspective. 15,000 years of culture is only inches away."

Aaron Levinthal has been spending his summers in Ocean City since he was a teenager. Over the years, he has come to appreciate the character, the culture, and the rich history of the region. What may simply be identified as an arrowhead is, to Levinthal, a reflection of an entire culture which relied on a subsistence strategy which we can only begin to understand.

Read the Entire Article about Aaron Levinthal via DemarvaNow

Origination of Poker: Where Did It Start?

When I was little, my father and I would take every Sunday to play a hand of poker or watch a classic movie with singing and dancing. My first recollection of the game of poker was in the movie Showboat, where Howard Keel played the illustrious character of Gaylord Ravenal, a steamboat card player who, from time to time, ran into some pretty bad luck. What does this have to do with archaeology or history? I think it’s important to note where our historical interests actually stem from and some of mine go back to my Sunday poker games with my father and the men in old west movies, who made the game as popular as it is today.

Brief History of Poker

The first picture that comes to mind when I think of poker is a singer like Billy Holiday singing in a juke joint , dressed up in a sequin mini dress, on the banks of the Louisiana. The men would drink liquor from their yellow colored glasses and a guitar player would be playing the blues as broken men turned the tide and became winners in a lucky hand. 

The German game of poker called Poch, originating over 500 years ago and using betting and bluffing, was the first time in history poker had ever been played. This has been speculated, however.

If you’ve never heard of Poch or Pochspiel, the game uses a 32 card pack and typically up to 6 players. The cards are ranked high to low, just like American poker-A, K, Q, J, 10, and so on. Poch is played on wooden player board and designs can range from the simple to the extravagant.

Consequently, poker was speculated to have originated during the 16th century in Persia. The game was called As Nas and it was played with a 25 card deck containing five suits of cards.

On the other hand, between 900 and 1000 AD, poker was said to have started, or rather invented, by the Chinese. Of course, gaming has been around since the beginning of time,  many people believe, so it’s quite hard to say where it did begin. What do you believe?

Poker In The US: Started By French Settlers

In the United States, we first saw poker being played in New Orleans by  French settlers. In fact, poker was and still is quite popular in France where it’s legal to play. The French brought over a game called Poque which is similar to “draw poker” we play in the states.

New Orleans continued to draw sugar plantation owners and riverboat hustlers as it evolved as the first gambling city in America. The first casino was opened by John Davis in 1822 and offered guests 24 hour service, gourmet food, various games, roulette, alcohol, and of course poker. After some time,casinos started popping up and the first idea of the Vegas strip was born.

Like many old time gamblers, a man could lose his shirt to the casinos in town so finding a back swamp joint, like the aforementioned juke joints, was often a way to increase his odds. This wasn’t always the case, however. Many thieves and cheats frequented these saloon like establishments, so in actuality, the odds were almost always against a man who wasn’t familiar with the inner workings of the room.

Around 1911, gambling was outlawed throughout the Louisiana Purchase territory, however this never stopped gambling enthusiasts and professional poker players.

 

Classifying Complex Societies: What Challenges Do Archaeologists Face?

Archaeology of Complex Societies

There might be 101 challenges facing archaeologists when studying complex societies and I've only just begun in one of my classes focusing on the archaeology of complex societies. While reading through the material, I found several aspects, including the texts which were so diverse and extensive, and the assortment of dating techniques, which in one case, I had never heard of.

Like many of you it's a new experience for me, but I'm glad I get to share my path with all of you. If you have anything to add to the discussion, please free to leave a comment below.

Deciphering ancient texts

Ancient texts are quite challenging to decipher considering they may not use the alphabetic system such as our own. If the system is alphabetical, how do you know what sounds the symbols are meant to represent?

Furthermore, the language may be dead and no scholar has the necessary tools to decipher it. Depending on the symbols or logos, an epigrapher may be required to decipher what it is an archaeologist has found. Tracking down the epigrapher to take on task can be a daunting experience considering there are so few experts versed in the discipline.

We must remember, however, texts and scripts found in certain sites are not infallible. Why? Most of them were written by elites. Some with political propaganda. Even events such as war were misrepresented. Those having access to persons with the abilities to document these events were usually the victors, and often times, the events were embellished.

Maya Hieroglyphs are more than extensive when a novice, such as myself, starts to break them down. Deciphering the hieroglyphs takes a scholar versed in mathematics, language, and archaeology, and even if the inscription reflects an event accurately portrayed the same way at another site, doesn’t make the historical accuracy or the artifact irrefutable.

Accurately portraying an age of a complex society, based on information found, that is uniformly immense

Archaeologists using the Law of Superposition may be able to use the strata data to derive relative dates of artifacts found in certain layers, however imagine doing this for the entire site that may have included tens of thousands of people. Layers of strata can shift because of floods or be absent all together, but it’s the archaeologist’s job to find out why.

Why? Social organization is largely determined by the age of the society, therefore dating something so complex over such a large span of land can take years.

Example: Just because a level of strata was dated to a certain time, doesn’t mean the same level at a different site will yield the same results. As the module mentions, “relative age of artifacts, ecofactos, and features” can’t be determined without more information.

Furthermore, relative and indirect dates are least reliable, therefore archaeologists have to rely on direct dating from the objects or features found.

Cross Dating and Seriation provides another set of clues to determine dates of complex societies. However, when archaeologists are looking at such a vast social complex and one artifact is missing that turned up in another feature a few miles away, does it mean the sites are not connected? This is a challenge that must be met by using different processes and analysis. Cross dating may yield a comparison of like with like artifacts from different sites, however the frequency (Seriation) of the artifacts found brings about more clues as to the age of the site.

According to the AARCH, archaeomagnetic dating determines age of sites by testing iron deposits. It’s possible to determine the age of a site, albeit the site may be quite extensive, by melting iron to 400 degrees Celsius or higher, thus the iron will orient to magnetic north. There are some challenges as mentioned by the AARCH that state “Such materials retain a record of the direction and intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field from the time that the magnetisation was originally acquired. Direct observations of the present Earth’s magnetic field only go back for some 400 years (<200 years for its intensity)”. What happens when the site is relatively older than 400 years? Can archaeomagnetic dating still be a sufficient way to test age of sites? What do you think?

Monday Ground Up: Angkor Wat Is The Temple of Time

This article is contributed by Lima. 
 

For 800 years the temples and shrines of Angkor Wat have stood as a symbol of the nation of Cambodia. So much so that Angkor Wat appears on the Cambodian flag, its beauty and magnificence a source of national pride.

The temples at Angkor Wat, built in the early 12^th century under the reign of King Suryavarman II, have been a center of religious worship continuously since its construction, making it the oldest site where religious activities have taken place uninterrupted.

Originally built as Suryavarman’s royal temple and center of the king’s court, Angkor Wat was constructed to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat was abandoned as the nation’s capital after it was attacked by an enemy clan within Cambodia at the time. A new capital was created and served as the royal center of power, leaving Angkor Wat to the local people who prayed in the temples that cover the 203 acres that comprise the whole of these magnificent structures built in the classic style of the Khmer.

In the 13^th century, King Jayavarman VII was deposed by his son-in-law who had studied for 10 years in a Buddhist monastery and Cambodia quickly adopted Buddhism as the state religion. The Cambodian people were quick to accept this new religion that focused on the spiritual rather than material world. At this time, Angkor Wat became a shrine and a holy site for Buddhists throughout the region.

The original layout of the shrines and temples is clearly evident but construction at the site continued for almost four hundred years. As such, the complex is an architectural history showing change across four centuries – living history.

In that time, numerous buildings were added including decorative carved bas relief lines, many temple walls, representing the Hindu deities for which the temple was originally constructed. This centuries-long creation provides a trove of anthropologic information showing the evolution of the Cambodian culture and political structure. Even today, Angkor Wat continues to be one of the most researched sites on the planet. Its rich history is carved in the stone that makes up this mystical, awe-inspiring place.

The temples of Angkor Wat have remained sacred to the Theravada Buddhist sect into modern times and remain a place of great religious and spiritual power within the large segment of Buddhists that comprises the Cambodian population.

Over the centuries, the temples at Angkor Wat were gradually overtaken by the surrounding jungle and, in the early part of the 20^th century, the site was in need of restoration. Recognizing the cultural significance of this remarkable series of shrines and spires, the world community came together to restore Angkor Wat to its former glory. Today, this holy place is not only a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, it has become a major source of tourism revenue for Cambodia. The site is well-maintained and is, indeed, one of the wonders of architecture 800 years after work was begun.

The Significance of Design at the Site of Angkor Wat

Because Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu complex and center of state, the design of the complex is based on Hindu religious icons. The main temple is a representation of the home of Hindu gods, Mount Meru.

Surrounding the main temple are five spires that represent the five mountain peaks that surround Mount Meru. Angkor Wat was enclosed, the walls representing mountains. It was also surrounded by an immense moat, a representation of the sea. Thus, when the complex at Angkor Wat is taken as a whole, it becomes a representation of the world in miniature as it was known during the 1200s.

The walls of Angkor Wat are decorated, not only with bas relief depictions of Hindu deities, but also representations of the king and royal authority. However, archeologists suggest that many walls of the complex remain bare when work stopped on Angkor Wat upon the death of Suryavarman.

Many of these carved decorations depict known science at the time, particularly astronomical signs and symbols leading some anthropologists to suggest that Angkor Wat was more than a palace for Suryavarman and a private religious sanctuary for the king and his inner court.

Some anthropologists suggest that many of the bas reliefs that adorn the temple walls make a political statement as well as a religious one, pointing to a new era of learning, engagement and a contented populace, something that any monarch would desire.

The design and layout of Angkor Wat remain somewhat of a mystery. Khmer temples are built facing the east. The temples at Angkor Wat are oriented toward the west, the source of some controversy among the anthropology community. Some experts believe that the unusual alignment of the complex indicates that Angkor Wat was intended to serve as the burial site of its builder, Suryavarman.

Other anthropologists believe the alignment of Angkor Wat is more likely based on the deity to which it was originally constructed, Vishnu. In Hindu religious texts, Vishnu is associated with the west and, therefore, the western alignment of Angkor Wat makes sense despite its contrary positioning to other Cambodian temple sites.

Do the Features of Angkor Wat Suggest Engagement With Aztecs or Egyptians?

Using architecture and the advent of architectural innovation, anthropologists attempt to uncover connections between diverse cultures.

While there is no evidence to suggest that the design of Angkor Wat is imitative of the great pyramids of the Egyptians, Incans or Mayans, some within the anthropology community point to Angkor Wat as an example of cultural transference – the exchange of technology, linguistics and other elements that define diverse cultures.

Some experts point to the alignment question as an indicator that Angkor Wat was a Cambodian adaptation of either Egyptian or Mesoamerican civilizations. Others point to architectural innovations that appear in the design and construction of newer buildings over the 400-year span that construction was undertaken at Angkor Wat.

In fact, the buildings at Angkor Wat follow traditional building practices seen in other temple sites throughout the region. There’s no need to speculate how Cambodian architecture evolved. The evidence still stands, available for further study and analysis.

The Magic of Angkor Wat

However, this remarkable place is more than a collection of buildings. It is more than a site of archeological study. It is more than the cause for debate among anthropologists.

In today’s high-tech society, Angkor Wat stands as a true wonder. It has been described as mystical, magical and “almost surreal” – sentiments expressed by Westerners upon visiting the site for the first time. This is the true appeal of Angkor Wat.

Indeed, its history and construction are important to understand. However, it is the mysterious and the dynamic energy that emanates from this sacred spot that is the true story of this collection of holy buildings.
Angkor Wat is truly the world’s Temple of Time.

Also check out Lima’s article

Evolution of Culture, Genetic Anthropology, and the “Eve Theory”

For decades, anthropologists have debated “The Eve Theory” – the theory that world cultures migrated and evolved from a single source – Eve, a reference to Adam and Eve mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Genesis as the first man and woman and the progenitors of all human life.

Read more: Evolution of Culture, Genetic Anthropology, and the “Eve Theory”

This article is contributed by Lima, an avid traveler who owns a website offering high quality adjustable dumbbells for sale

Reference:
1st Photo © Adana Lima
Photo 2-4 © Cornstaruk

Sunday Round Up: Top Archaeology and Anthropology News 1/23/2011

Archaeology	Anthropology
Sue Alcock From Brown University Discusses Petra at University of Texas As stated by the University of Texas 'Archaeologist Susan Alcock will deliver a talk titled "Putting Petra in Landscape Mode: Alternative Archaeologies at a World Wonder," as part of the fourth annual William J. Battle Lecture Series. Alcock, director of Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, is Joukowsky family professor in archaeology and professor of classics at Brown University. Read more: Sue Alcock From Brown University Discusses Petra at University of Texas
Chinchorro Mummies On Display in Santiago A group of Chinchorro mummies are on display in 2008 in the cultural centre of the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago. Switzerland has returned four mummies to Chile, including two of them among the world's oldest, after their private owner agreed to their restitution. Read more: Chinchorro Mummies On Display in Santiago Military Archaeology in Russia ww2 Simple Machines for Detachment 14th exploratory season in the "Valley" was going to be easy, but effective. Thanks to colleagues from Demyansk, under the leadership of Anatoly S. Pavlov, as well as in advance to visit the area scout and an experienced search engine Vadim Antonov, found a mysterious unaccounted dumping of Soviet soldiers being in combat strewn ditch full profile. Why mysterious? Will become clear later... New Colonial Fort Discovered in St. Augustine Only miles form where I live, there's always archaeological digs going on in St. Augustine, one of my favorite cities on earth. Of course, the greatest attractions for tourists, historians, and archaeologists alike in St. Augustine are the Castillo De San Marco and Fort Matanzas. Imagine my surprise to hear that a new colonial fort may be uncovered in the next few weeks, as archaeologist Carl Halbirt and a team of volunteers is uncovering the remains. Read more:New Colonial Fort Discovered in St. Augustine Following Johns Hopkins Egyptologist Betsy Bryan at Mut Temple Johns Hopkins Egyptologist Betsy Bryan and her team of students, artists, conservators and photographers have returned to their investigation of Mut Temple, focusing their attention on the area south of the temple’s Sacred Lake. Bryan and her crew are resuming their excavation in Luxor, Egypt, and are sharing their work via “Hopkins in Egypt Today,” their popular digital diary offering a virtual window into day-to-day life on an archaeological dig. New posts will appear through the end of January at www.jhu.edu/egypttoday. Read more: Following Johns Hopkins Egyptologist Betsy Bryan at Mut Temple Destruction of Arizona's Heritage: Rock Art Vandalism The defacing of rock art sites in Arizona has become a distressing and persistent reality, which must be addressed swiftly. To promote public awareness and debate about the preservation of rock art sites, a panel of archaeologists will discuss a variety of topics, including recent vandalism at Keyhole Sink; debates over rock art conservation models; Native American concerns about the destruction of cultural heritage; and stewardship of archaeological sites. Read more: Destruction of Arizona's Heritage: Rock Art Vandalism Saddleworth's Archaeology Collection on Display The historical collection of a WWI officer from Saddleworth has gone on display, showing how ordinary people helped progress modern archaeology. 'The Story of Francis Buckley' at Gallery Oldham gathers together many of its titular archaeologist's treasures. Born in 1881, the former barrister became an expert on subjects such as English glass and Stone Age flints. Senior curator Dinah Winch said Francis "amassed the most amazing collection" in his lifetime. Read more: Saddleworth's Archaeology Collection on Display	Finding Would Reveal Contact between Humans and Gomphotheres in North America Mexican Archaeologists discovered 3 Clovis projectile heads associated to remains of gomphotheres with an age of at least 12,000 years, in the northern region of the Mexican state of Sonora. The finding is relevant because these are the first evidences in North America of this extinct animal linked to the human species. The finding opens the possibility of the coexistence of humankind with gomphotheres, animals similar to mammoths, but smaller, in this region of America, which contrasts with theories that declare that this species disappeared 30,000 years ago in this region of America and did not coexist with humans. Read More: Finding Would Reveal Contact between Humans and Gomphotheres in North America Smart Drug Dealers Know Their Target Audience’ Thomas "Biggie" Zenon and Miguel "G" Guzman were drug dealers. Specifically, they sold weed and high-grade cocaine. "Who in this city uses those kinds of drugs?" they asked themselves. White folks, they decided. College students and graduates with a higher-than-average median income who hate Rudy Giuliani but love Lady Bunny, spicy foreign foods, and movies in the original Swedish. Aha! Village Voice readers! Read More: Smart Drug Dealers Know Their Target Audience’ Neoliberalism alive and well Acknowledging that there are different kinds of "capital" -- e.g. cultural -- anthropologist David Harvey denotes that the principal property is that of circulation, the analogy being to life blood. As the ideal, he speaks of 3 percent compound growth and 50-year cycles -- but which is limited for finite resources. We can assume we are here talking mainly about "money" and wealth or the equivalent, even if only as bookkeeping or computer entries. Read More: Neoliberalism alive and well A mother struggles to see past herself “Lucy” is a rare event in the theater – a play told from the point of view of an autistic girl who, at 13, is getting to know her mother, a gifted and frustrated anthropologist once solely focused on advancing her career. It’s an idea that makes Lucy into a modern missing link, and suddenly her name has resonance with another Lucy, the almost 4-foot-tall hominid skeleton from 3 million years ago. Through this comparison with hominid Lucy, Vivian’s daughter becomes a modern miracle – someone worthy of a mother’s love. Read More: A mother struggles to see past herself Scientists model ancient bog woman's face German researchers have shed light on life during the Iron Age after examining the ancient remains of a woman found in a bog in what is now Lower Saxony. The body dates back to the pre-Roman era, more than 2,600 years ago. A team of experts presented their findings on Thursday in Hannover, including facial simulations of the bog woman dubbed “Moora.” Archaeologists first began studying the find six years ago, according to news magazine Der Spiegel. Read More: Scientists model ancient bog woman's face

Archeologists discover ancient ruins along Tanzanian coastal area Tanzanian archaeologists and historical experts have announced the discovery of dozens of ancient ruins along the coastal area, dating back to as far as the 13th century. The new finds will shed new light on life as it was then, the identity of coastal dwellers, and possible trade with other seafaring nations across the oceans, in particular the Gulf area. It is believed from initial assessment that Arabic traders, and also the Portuguese in later centuries, had made landfall in what is now Tanzania and established settlements able to provide water and food to the ships and also trade for commodities in demand back then. Read More: Archeologists discover ancient ruins along Tanzanian coastal area

Professionals Explain Rock Art Etiquette At Gold Butte Meeting Around 1,500 years ago, a group of people lived and survived on the land presently called the Virgin Valley. People today know this because they left behind phenomenal petyroglyphs, commonly known as rock art, on sandstone. Although archaeologists gather theories as to exactly who these people were or what these markings mean, the truth is no one knows for sure who they were, where they went or why they documented their lives on stone. Read More: Professionals Explain Rock Art Etiquette At Gold Butte Meeting

Chinchorro Mummies On Display in Santiago

A group of Chinchorro mummies are on display in 2008 in the cultural centre of the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago. Switzerland has returned four mummies to Chile, including two of them among the world's oldest, after their private owner agreed to their restitution.

Destruction of Arizona's Heritage: Rock Art Vandalism

The defacing of rock art sites in Arizona has become a distressing and persistent reality, which must be addressed swiftly. To promote public awareness and debate about the preservation of rock art sites, a panel of archaeologists will discuss a variety of topics, including recent vandalism at Keyhole Sink; debates over rock art conservation models; Native American concerns about the destruction of cultural heritage; and stewardship of archaeological sites.

The damage at Keyhole Sink is a fresh reminder of the ongoing assault on ancient archaeological sites in Arizona and across the South-west – graffiti, looting of artefacts, littering and garbage-dumping. Sites are defaced with paint, bullet marks, paint-ball stains and messages scratched into rocks. Professional thieves remove pottery, hack out chunks of ancient art-covered rock and dislodge anything they can carry away.

Edited From Past Horizons

 

Picture © Kaibab National Forest

Sue Alcock From Brown University Discusses Petra at University of Texas

As stated by the University of Texas 'Archaeologist Susan Alcock will deliver a talk titled "Putting Petra in Landscape Mode: Alternative Archaeologies at a World Wonder," as part of the fourth annual William J. Battle Lecture Series. Alcock, director of Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, is Joukowsky family professor in archaeology and professor of classics at Brown University. An engaging speaker, she has worked at and published on many areas of the ancient world. Her most recent project is a survey conducted at the World Wonder site of Petra in Jordan. There will be a short reception after the talk (Held on January 21, 4-5pm, Mezes 1.306).'

Sue Alcock Biography

Sue Alcock attended Yale and University of Cambridge, focusing on the field of classical archaeology. Much of her research to date has revolved around themes of landscape, imperialism, sacred space, and memory. Her fieldwork has, until recently, taken the form of regional investigations in Greece, but she is now involved with the Vorotan Project, an international collaborative effort in southern Armenia.

Picture © Great Archaeology

Saddleworth's Archaeology Collection on Display

The historical collection of a WWI officer from Saddleworth has gone on display, showing how ordinary people helped progress modern archaeology.

'The Story of Francis Buckley' at Gallery Oldham gathers together many of its titular archaeologist's treasures.

Born in 1881, the former barrister became an expert on subjects such as English glass and Stone Age flints.
Senior curator Dinah Winch said Francis "amassed the most amazing collection" in his lifetime.

Amateur enthusiasts like Mr Buckley have a prime place in the history of archaeological study.
The modern version of the science didn't come into being until the start of the 19th century and professional practitioners were not common place until over a century later.

Read the entire article:   Saddleworth 'Amazing Collection' on Display

 Edited from BBC

Following Johns Hopkins Egyptologist Betsy Bryan at Mut Temple

Johns Hopkins Egyptologist Betsy Bryan and her team of students, artists, conservators and photographers have returned to their investigation of Mut Temple, focusing their attention on the area south of the temple’s Sacred Lake. Bryan and her crew are resuming their excavation in Luxor, Egypt, and are sharing their work via “Hopkins in Egypt Today,” their popular digital diary offering a virtual window into day-to-day life on an archaeological dig. New posts will appear through the end of January at www.jhu.edu/egypttoday.

In January 2011 Dr. Betsy Bryan returned to the Temple of Mut precinct in Luxor, Egypt with nine Johns Hopkins students. For the past four years excavation has focused within the temple itself and around the perimeter of the sacred lake, called the Isheru. This year Dr. Bryan and her team returns to the area behind (south of) the lake where between 2002 and 2006 industrial areas for baking, brewing, faience and ceramic production, were discovered. The area behind the lake contains a large open area without standing buildings. At the far south where the mud brick temenos wall separated the precinct from the secular city of ancient Thebes an area was investigated in 2004-05. In 2005 Dr. Elaine Sullivan identified a 25th Dynasty storage building of mud brick in the vicinity. This year work continues to the east of this area, beginning where a slight rise in ground level exists. Likewise excavation squares are placed directly south of the industrial area excavated earlier.~Hopkins in Egypt Today

Edited from The JHU Gazette

New Colonial Fort Discovered in St. Augustine

Only miles form where I live, there's always archaeological digs going on in St. Augustine, one of my favorite cities on earth. Of course, the greatest attractions for tourists, historians, and archaeologists alike in St. Augustine are the Castillo De San Marco and Fort Matanzas. Imagine my surprise to hear that a new colonial fort may be uncovered in the next few weeks, as archaeologist Carl Halbirt and a team of volunteers is uncovering the remains.

Monday Ground Up: Looking For Guest Writers

Just a quick post and back to the books. As all of you know, Mondays are the special edition focusing on one area of research in archaeology or anthropology. Over the next passing months, my schedule will not permit me to write the editions every week so I'm asking for your help.

I appreciate all of the contributions I've had so far, but I'd like to ask for some more contribution from all of you. These are my recommendations for guest posts and Monday Ground Up editions.

For the person that contributes the most posts (Monday Ground Up or Guest) every month,  I will award them with an Ancient Digger T-shirt. The winner will be determined at the end of the month, at that time which, I will email you for your shipping information.

Choices for T-shirts are:

Men's Standard Weight T-Shirt (white or black) S-2XL
Women's V-Neck T-Shirt (white or black) S-XL

These are the requirements for guest posts:

• Post must be at least 400 words.
• Topic must focus on archaeology, history, or anthropology.
• Photographs must include credits from the original source.
• Title must include at least 2 keywords.
• Keyword density must be at least 3%.
• No articles attempting to sell a service or product. (If you'd like to advertise on Ancient Digger, check out the advertising page)
• Please include a list of tags to describe the topic being discussed.
• Include your keywords in the first 100 words of your post.
• No posts with excessive spelling or grammatical errors.
• Include your full name with the post.
• Include a link to your website or blog. (If you have one)
• Include a short Bio about yourself and experience.

Topics

• Archaeology
• Anthropology
• History
• Culture
• Travel
• European History
• Middle Ages
• Medieval History
• Pre-History
• Historical Photography
• Field School Opportunities
• Archaeology, Anthropology, or History College programs. (No excessive links. This needs to be an article about a specific school program)
• Research Opportunities
• Museum Exhibitions
• Historical Travel Destinations.

These are the requirements for Monday Ground Up posts:

• Post must be at least 800 words.
• Topic must focus on archaeology, history, or anthropology.
• Photographs must include credits from the original source.
• Title must include at least 2 keywords.
• No articles attempting to sell a service or product. (If you'd like to advertise on Ancient Digger, check out the advertising page)
• Please include a list of tags to describe the topic being discussed.
• No posts with excessive spelling or grammatical errors.
• Include your full name with the post.
• Include a link to your website or blog. (If you have one)
• Include a short Bio about yourself and experience.

Topics

• Archaeology
• Anthropology
• History
• Culture
• Travel
• European History
• Middle Ages
• Medieval History
• Pre-History
• Historical Photography
• Field School Opportunities
• Archaeology, Anthropology, or History College programs. (No excessive links. This needs to be an article about a specific school program)
• Research Opportunities
• Museum Exhibitions
• Historical Travel Destinations.

Please check out the latest examples of Monday Ground Ups to get an idea about the general flow of the piece.
 

Sunday Round Up: Top Archaeology and Anthropology News 1/16/2011

Archaeology and Anthropology Latest Headlines

Chemical analysis confirms discovery of oldest wine-making equipment ever found Analysis by a UCLA-led team of scientists has confirmed the discovery of the oldest complete wine production facility ever found, including grape seeds, withered grape vines, remains of pressed grapes, a rudimentary wine press, a clay vat apparently used for fermentation, wine-soaked potsherds, and even a cup and drinking bowl. The facility, which dates back to roughly 4100 B.C. — 1,000 years before the earliest comparable find — was unearthed by a team of archaeologists from Armenia, the United States and Ireland in the same mysterious Armenian cave complex where an ancient leather shoe was found, a discovery that was announced last summer. ~UCLA Newroom, From Stone Pages

2011 Excavation List For Excavation In Israel Just Published Israel's Foreign Ministry posted a preliminary list of archaeological excavations scheduled for 2011. The ministry updates the posting periodically as new digs are notified to them. For ant one who wants to dig in Israel this is a vital piece of information. This list of archaeological expeditions which accept volunteers is compiled by the Israel Foreign Ministry as a service to the public, and is not an endorsement of any of the projects listed. The excavation details below been published by the archaeologists in charge of the individual expeditions, who bear responsibility for their contents. ~ArchNews

Major Archaeological Project Examines Interactions That Changed China The Oxford Centre for Asian Archaeology, Art and Culture, based in Oxford University’s School of Archaeology, has received its first major research award since its launch in October last year. The Leverhulme Trust has awarded a grant of almost half a million pounds for the research project ‘China and Inner Asia (1,000-200 BC): Interactions that changed China’. The project, led by Dame Jessica Rawson, Professor of Chinese Art and Archaeology at the University of Oxford, will look at how the early Chinese societies made use of different foreign materials and technologies. Researchers will track how the Chinese, with their highly organised, relatively dense population, were able to react fast and on a large scale. ~Advert.co.uk

Antiochus VII, Antioch, January 17, 121 BC - Coining an eclipse of Jupiter by the moon An unusual Greek coin, minted around 120 BC, may have marked a moment in time when people in ancient Syria saw Jupiter being blocked out by the moon. On one side is a portrait of Antiochos VIII, the king who minted it. On the reverse is a depiction of Zeus, either nude or half-draped, holding a sceptre in his left hand.  Above the god’s head is the crescent of the moon, and his right arm is outreached with a star like figure (that may in fact be Jupiter) hovering just above his palm. “Nobody ever re-used this iconography again – it was a one off,” said Professor Robert Weir, of the University of Windsor in Canada, who presented his research recently at the annual meeting of the  Archaeological Institute of America.

Culture thrived on future Iowa soil About 800 years ago, an American Indian culture was concentrated in the Loess Hills near here. Little is known about the people of what archaeologists call the Glenwood culture. They dwelled in earth lodges, lived on both sides of the Missouri River, and sometime around 1300 A.D. left — possibly being absorbed by the Pawnee or other tribes. But two new grants from the Iowa Department of Transportation may help scholars and archaeologists learn more about the Glenwood culture people. ~Omaha World Herald

Primitive Peoples of Matto Grosso 1941 This awkwardly narrated black and white film from 1941 shows Anthropologist George Rawls interacting with the Bororo people of Brazil. This movie is part of the collection: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Films at http://www.archive.org

Renaissance Academy of Florida Gulf Coast University hosts Bernie and Fran Alpert

Archaeology of Jerusalem Lecture Series

Renaissance Academy of Florida Gulf Coast University announces the start of its winter/spring 2011 History, Law & Government lecture program with a presentation by Mr. Bernard Alpert, Chief Archaeologist at Tel Marisha, Israel, in conjunction with the Israeli Department of Antiquities and Mrs. Fran Alpert, a lecturer and guide in Israel with 30 years’ experience.

The Alpert’s lecture “The Archaeology & History of Jerusalem” is a three-part lecture series which will be held Wednesdays, January 19, 26, February 2, at 10AM, at the Academy’s 1010 5th Avenue South, Naples location. The cost of this lecture series is $60 and pre-registration is required. Online registration and additional information is available at https://RegisterRA.fgcu.edu or by calling 239-434-4737.

Course fees are typically $25 per lecture, and provide access to Academy programs located at twelve locations throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties.

For more information or a free catalog of offerings, contact The Renaissance Academy at (239) 425-3272.

Edited from Naples News

Skeletal Remains Discovered at the Future Site of La Plaza de Cultura y Artes

Archaeological Discovery

Officials of a planned Mexican American heritage cultural center are scrambling to do damage control after receiving criticism about their excavation of skeletal remains from a 19th century cemetery.

The fragile bones of dozens of bodies were recently found buried beneath a planned outdoor space and garden at the future site of La Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

Native American groups, archaeologists and the Los Angeles Archdiocese have voiced concerns over the removal of what may be the remains of the city’s first cemetery.

Early settlers of Spanish, Native American and Mexican descent were buried in the Catholic cemetery south of La Placita Church before it was officially closed in 1844. According to Catholic Church records, the bodies were moved and reinterred elsewhere.

On Sunday, some who claimed to be descendants of those buried at the site gathered there for a vigil and called for at least a temporary stop to the construction.

“Our excavation has not ceased,” La Plaza spokeswoman Katie Dunham said Tuesday. “We’re setting up several meetings Friday with people who have expressed concerns.”

Read the entire article: Skeletal remains found near Olvera Street prompt calls for construction halt

Archaeologist James W. Bradley Discusses The Origins and Meaning of Wampum

Archaeology Lecture

Archaeologist and educator James W. Bradley will discuss the origins and meaning of wampum in a free lecture Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Boston Athenaeum library.

Sacred shell beads called wampum are often featured in movies about Native Americans like "The Last of the Mohigans,'' but their historical reality is often obscured by Hollywood hype.

Bradley will present a lecture "Revisting Wampum and Other Seventeenth Century Shell Games'' at noon in the library at 10-1/2 Beacon St. on Beacon Hill near the State House in Boston.

The event is free. Reservations are required and will be taken at 617-720-7600.

Though much has been written about the small shell beads, the actual origins of wampum remain obscure. Bradley will utilize a combination of archaeological and documentary sources to examine different definitions of wampum and explore what cultural forces led to their creation.

Read the entire article in full: Lecture: The origins and meaning of wampum

Copyright 2011 The Milford Daily News. Some rights reserved

James Bradley Bio

James W. Bradley, founder and president of ArchLink, is an archaeologist and educator. His fieldwork ranges from archaeological surveys on Cape Cod and Alaska’s North Slope to urban salvage in downtown Boston. He is nationally recognized as an expert on the archaeology of Native American people of northeastern North America and their cultures. Dr. Bradley received his Ph.D. from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 1979. He served on the staff of the Massachusetts Historical Commission from 1979 to 1990, and directed a statewide survey of historic and archaeological resources. From 1990 to 2001 he was director of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology in Andover, Massachusetts. An active scholar, he has received numerous awards. (source)

2012 World Monuments Watch Nominations

The World Monuments Watch calls international attention to cultural heritage around the world that is at risk from the forces of nature and the impact of social, political, and economic change. From archaeological sites to iconic architecture, cultural landscapes to historic urban centers, the Watch identifies places of significance in need of timely action.

Sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru, the sugar plantations of Florida, Ggantija Caves in Malta, are full of inspiration and dying history. Most of us are attempting to keep history alive by collaborating with institutions around the globe. Promoting awareness and providing effective solutions is what it takes. We need your help and your vote

Every two years, World Monuments Fund (WMF) accepts new nominations to the Watch. Over 600 sites on all seven continents have been included in the eight Watch cycles since 1996. Watch listing provides an opportunity for sites and their nominators to raise public awareness, foster local participation, advance innovation and collaboration, and demonstrate effective solutions.

The announcement of the 2010 Watch was covered by over 1500 news outlets, reaching more than 250 million people worldwide. The Watch nomination process also serves as a vehicle for requesting WMF assistance for select projects. Watch sites in more than 80 countries have received WMF support totaling $60 million, and WMF’s investment has leveraged an additional $150 million in assistance from other sources.

Information about the 2012 World Monuments Watch can be found at WMF

Guidelines for Nomination can also be found at the WMF site.

Questions about the nomination process should be directed to watch@wmf.org.

Information  via Barnea Levi Selavan

Beginner's Guide To A Career in Anthropology and Archeology

Guest Post By Brian Jenkins

Considering a Career in Anthropology and Archeology?

Are you interested in human history? Do you wonder where we came from and how we got here? If so, you might want to consider a career in either archaeology or anthropology. This article will give a detailed look at these career fields and help you decide if one of them is right for you.

Anthropology

Anthropologists study the origin of and cultural, social, and physical development of humans. They look at the traditions, values, beliefs, and possessions of people and societies throughout the world and create hypothesis based on their research. They typically specialize in physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, or linguistics.

Cultural anthropologists study the customs and behavior of a community's citizens. They evaluate various aspects of a society's lifestyle, including its religion, music, and how they take care of their senior citizens or elders. They gather information and attempt to make conclusions about a society's ways of life.

Physical anthropologists study the physical development of the human species. They examine how heredity and environment influence the structure of the human body. Some Physical anthropologists study the spatial distribution and trends of the physical characteristics of humans around the globe.

Linguistic anthropologists analyze the evolution of languages and the relationships between different languages. They attempt to explain how a community's language relates to the ways a society's citizens act and think.

Archeology

Archeologists, on the other hand, attempt to discover the history, living habits, and customs of earlier human civilizations. They document, analyze, and interpret homes, clothing, tools, and art from ancient human civilizations. Archeologists often excavate objects from the ground and are sometimes asked to perform surveys when ground will be disturbed during digging projects. They work in labs, in the field, and in the classroom.

"In an essence, Archeologists gain knowledge of the past by studying materials representative of cultural groups across space and through time."~Ancient Digger

Responsibilities of Anthropologists and Archeologists

• Develop and test theories regarding the origin and development of cultures from the past
• Gather information and make judgments through interviews, observations, and by evaluating documents and papers
• Compare findings among different sites to learn the similarities and differences between different people or different eras
• Describe the physical properties of artifacts
• Write, publish and present reports
• Evaluate objects and structures and identify, date, and authenticate objects and interpret their significance
• Write about research findings
• Construct and test data gathering methods

Job Characteristics

Anthropologists and Archaeologists work in the field, in classroom settings, in laboratories, and in museums. Some jobs in anthropology require travel and being away from home for long periods of time.

Employment Outlook

The employment growth for anthropologists and archaeologists is projected to be much faster than the average for all occupations from 2008 to 2018. The median annual earnings in 2008 for anthropologists and archeologists was $53,910.

According to Payscale.com, the medium income for anthropologists in 2010 was 48,167 and archaeologists made $41,565. These numbers largely depend on the venue in which you are employed. Research and government work tend to pay a bit more. Consequently, the higher the degree the more the pay. These numbers reflect BA degrees in the field.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

A bachelor's degree in archaeology or anthropology is the minimum requirement for a job in either field. However, many employers prefer candidates that have a master's degree or a Ph.D. Many teaching positions in colleges and universities require a Ph.D.

Useful Online Resources

• American Anthropological Association
• The Society for Applied Anthropology
• Archaeological Institute of America
• Society For American Archaeology

Major Employers of Anthropologists and Archeologists

The major employers are colleges, universities, museums, and government agencies.

This has been a lot of information about these exciting career fields, so let's hope it isn't too overwhelming! It should give you a solid foundation if you are considering pursuing one of these careers, so if you are, be sure to keep this information in mind.

Brian Jenkins is an expert on a number of career fields and writes feature articles for BrainTrack.

Sources

Payscale Archaeology
Payscale Anthropology

Monday Ground Up: Special Editions In Review For 2010

This Monday will mark a momentous event for the Monday Ground Edition.  I’ve been publishing this special edition since July 15, 2009 and ever since I began many things have changed.


I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to work with some guest writers in the field of archaeology and anthropology, academia, and fellow bloggers. In the beginning I was taking the time every weekend, trying to hit that 1500 word mark to make the editions not only teach you the reader something new, but also entertain.

I hope I, as well as my fellow contributors, were able to do this for you. I suppose when your material starts to show up on USAToday, Treehugger.com and Discovery News, you are actually making a dent.

My question for you is what can be changed? Or should everything stay the same? I’d like to know what topics you would like to see explored and I’d like to give my writers a chance to provide the research for you on Ancient Digger.

Sunday Round Up: Top Archaeology And Anthropology Stories For 1/9/2011

Iran to Keep British Museum’s Cyrus Cylinder Three More Months

The British Museum said it will prolong its loan to Iran of an ancient artifact for three more months, meeting a request by the Iranian authorities.

The Cyrus Cylinder, which went on show at the National Museum of Iran in September and was due back Jan. 16, will stay in Tehran until April 15 -- after late March celebrations of the Iranian New Year (Norouz), the museum’s press office said in an e-mailed statement.~Bloomberg

New technology gives on-site assessments in archaeology

The ability to tell the difference between crystals that formed naturally and those formed by human activity can be important to archaeologists in the field. This can be a crucial bit of information in determining the ancient activities that took place at a site, yet archaeologists often wait for months for the results of laboratory tests.

Now, however, an international team of physicists, archaeologists and materials scientists has developed a process that can tell in a matter of minutes the origin of samples thousands of years old. ~Spero News

The Best Schools For Nautical, Maritime, and Underwater Archaeology in the US

Education Portal has compiled an extensive list of Nautical, Maritime, and Underwater Archaeology schools for any student looking to break into the field. One of my professors is an expert in Caribbean Piracy, receiving his Ph.D from the University of Florida, which has a highly competitive department for Underwater Archaeology. I know many of the institutions here in Florida have fascinating, ongoing research in the field, so by all means, have a look when you can.

Typically nautical, maritime, and underwater archaeologists study artifacts in ocean or sea environments. However, specialization usually doesn't occur until graduate school after the student has received a BS in Anthropology.

Undergraduates, depending on the school you attend, may have nautical, underwater or maritime archaeology classes available to them prior to applying to graduate school. I encourage those of you considering this field to take as many of those classes as possible to further your knowledge and narrow down your specialty you plan to pursue.

Schools offering Underwater Archaeology

Texas A & M Nautical Archaeology

 The Nautical Archaeology Program of the Anthropology Department at Texas A& M University specializes in training graduate students in the archaeology and history of ships and seafaring.

 

Maritime Archaeology at UWF

 

Discussion of current research in Maritime Archaeology at UWF highlighting exacavation of various 16th century Spanish shipwrecks in Pensacola Bay.

 MSU NAS Underwater Archaeology Program

 

Admiral John Fetterman Florida State Maritime Museum

 

Texas A & M

The Nautical Archaeology Program (NAP) is the academic degree-granting graduate program at TAMU. Information on the program and the eight laboratories operated by the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation (CMAC) is provided here.

Minnesota State University Check the video featured above.

University of Florida

Florida Museum of Natural History archaeologists conduct research in the Circum-Caribbean area and provide additional expertise in art, economic anthropology, ethnohistory, environmental archaeology, historic and prehistoric archaeology, theory, and zooarchaeology, among other topics. 

Florida State

Faculty are involved in long-term archaeological projects at Spanish mission sites, plantations, and on shipwrecks. Formal courses in underwater archaeology were introduced in the early 1970s. Basic scuba certification is available. Underwater techniques training is offered during the spring semester in conjunction with the university's Academic Diving Program. The underwater field school is offered every summer and usually focuses on both submerged prehistoric sites as well as historic-period shipwreck excavations. Active field projects are potentially available year-round.

University of West Florida

The University of West Florida and the state of Florida have identified 50 underwater sites. UWF archaeologists have investigated about 18 of those, with the most noteworthy being Spanish colonial ships including the two Emanuel Point shipwrecks and the Santa Rosa Island Shipwreck.

Indiana University

Research and interpretation of submerged cultural and biological resources emphasizing park development and sustainable use.

East Carolina University Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology

The Program offers a master's degree in maritime history and nautical archaeology. Combining classroom lectures and seminars with hands-on field projects and internships, the Maritime Program provides a thorough education for those interested in a professional career in maritime history and nautical archaeology.

Flinder's University

The Department of Archaeology at Flinders University has taught maritime archaeology at undergraduate level since 1996 and at postgraduate level since 2002 as well as providing supervision for MA (by research and thesis) and PhD students.

Outside United States

Bounrnemouth University Maritime Archaeology Summer School

The south coast of England boasts a rich maritime heritage, including important and famous ship wrecks. This Summer School combines expert guest lectures with field trips and practical exercises to deliver an unforgettable learning experience. The classroom-based sessions will be delivered by guest lecturers from government and industry, as well as our own experts, and will cover basic principles of maritime archaeology, including research, archaeological excavation, scientific analysis, conservation and curation of artefacts, publishing your research, and outreach activities. You’ll also undertake excursions to maritime landmarks such as the Mary Rose and HMS Victory in the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth, SS Great Britain in Bristol, and the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

University of Southern Denmark

The University of Southern Denmark is based in Esbjerg on the Danish North Sea coast, the programme is internationally oriented and all teaching is in English. The two-year master's programme was not only created to provide an education in maritime archaeology, but to prepare you for a career in this field. The course is structured around skills which are necessary in the fields of heritage management, consultancy and archaeological contract work, but also benefit students who want to follow a more traditional research oriented career path. Commercial diver training At the University of Southern Denmark students have the opportunity to obtain an internationally recognised commercial SCUBA diving qualification at very low cost. As an approved commercial diving school, the masters programme can issue the Danish “SCUBA erhvervsdykker” certificate (equivalent to HSE SCUBA). Interested? As education is free in Denmark, the maritime archaeology masters course is free of charge for students from European Union/EEA countries. Only students from outside the EU/EEA are charged an annual tuition fee.

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Also check out the Top Schools for Archaeology and Anthropology Students Page If your school offers a Nautical, Maritime, or Underwater Archaeology Program, please let me know and I'll update the list.

Archaeology Not Part Of Anthropology: Who Says?

Michael E. Smith from Publishing Archaeology views Archaeology for what it truly is, " a Comparative Historical Social Science. All four of those words are important to my scholarly identity."

In Smith's latest article entitled "American Anthropologist implies that archaeology is not part of anthropology", he explains his views about "In Focus: (Not) The End of Anthropology,  Again? Some Thoughts on Disciplinary Futures". The article explains the future outcome of Anthropology and whether Archaeology, which is barely comparable, will still be hanging on by a thread.

Cultural anthropologists seem to think archaeology has no place in the discipline, but you have to remember and they certainly do as well, without archaeology much of histories past would be completely lost. Why? Not all cultures are observable, but artifacts can tell us a great deal more about the past and how people lived their day to day lives.

Smith goes to explain "The flagship journal of the main anthropological association, in a featured series of papers, implicitly dismisses archaeology as an important part of anthropology. When this is added to the insults from the AAA science fiasco, it helps push people like me further from anthropology."

What are all of your thoughts about this? As anthropologists, do you agree archeology has no significant bearing on the discipline as a whole?

Paul Barford: British Archaeologist Explains How Archaeology In Britain Is Conveyed To The Public

Paul Barford, a British archaeologist living in Warsaw, Poland, just published a fascinating post about British Archaeology Dropping the Ball .

The premise of the article explains that British archaeology is not being represented accurately in the public eye through media. What most individuals few as archaeology may not be the more agreeable professional opinion, however media outlets are spinning information received from metal detecting as true and undeniable facts.

Barford stresses his concern:

The way the legislation is framed in the United Kingdom makes archaeology very much more dependent on public opinion than in many other countries. For this reason, surely it is very important that we should be very careful how archaeology is presented to the public. It is on the basis of what they pick up from the media (rather than professional publications) that the wider public forms an opinion on what archaeology is, what kind of archaeology Britain needs. This is especially important when more and more elements of the system existing a few years ago are being shed under the umbrella of the financial state the country is in and the necessary cutbacks. Who is going to protest the loss of an HER somewhere if most of the people in the area have no idea what it is, what it does and that they ever had one?

Please check out Paul's article entitled British Archaeology Dropping the Ball

Paul Barford Bio: 

Since the early 1990s a primary interest has been research on artefact hunting and collecting and the market in portable antiquities in the international context.

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues