Andrews University

Department of Behavioral Sciences 

ANTH435 Syllabus 2007

Museum and Lab Methods

FieldSchoolVersion, 3 Credits

Instructor:   Øystein S. LaBianca, Ph.D.

Email:          labianca@andrews.edu

Instructor’s Professional Background: Dr. LaBianca is Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. His other duties include serving as graduate programs coordinator for the department and senior director of Andrews’ field-based MSA in International Development. In his capacity as Associate Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Dr. LaBianca conducts anthropological and archaeological fieldwork in Jordan and Palestine . His research examines the causes of instability and collapse of local food systems and the nature of indigenous knowledge in coping with uncertainty and change. His research has been funded by Andrews University, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Geographic Society.

 

I. Course Description:

Methods for preparation and preservation of archaeological finds. Conservation, cleaning, cataloguing, and classification. Analysis of lithics, ceramics, faunal and floral remains, metals and glass.

 

II. Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Understand concepts and procedures for analyzing and classifying a specific type of archaeological artifact or biofact such as lithics, ceramics, animal bones, carbonized seeds, metals, coins, etc.
  • Know how to properly clean and preserve your chosen type of archaeological artifact or biofact
  • Demonstrate beginning-level mastery of best practices for in-depth analysis of your chosen type of artifact or Prepare a publishable report on results of in-depth analysis of a chosen type of artifact or biofact
  • Write a publishable report based on your work processing your chosen type of artifact or biofact

III. Methods of Instruction:

Methods of instruction emphasize hands-on learning in laboratory settings in the field and at the Institute of Archaeology, but also include assigned readings, informal discussions, and writing assignments.

 

IV. Course Requirements:

  • Notebook Journal: The notebook journal should be used for writing down instructions, laboratory protocols, reading notes, and lessons learned.
  • Best Practices Essay: Using library resources available at the Horn Museum and James White Library, you are to write a 10-15 page essay in which you explain best practices for laboratory processing and preservation of a chosen category of archaeological artifact.
  • Hands-on Laboratory Experience: You are to devote a minimum of 50 hours of hands-on time and effort to mentor-supervised laboratory processing of your chosen artifact. This can be done either in Jordan in connection with the dig or at the Horn Museum.
  • Publishable Report: Based on your study of best practices and your work processing a given type of artifact, you are to write a brief report which, at the minimum, is suitable for publishing on the web. The article should include discussion of research goals, methods, findings, and references cited. It should also include one or more illustrations.
  • Final Exam: The final exam will cover readings and lessons learned in connection with all of the above activities.

V. Grading Standards:

Assignment

%

Notebook Journal

20

Best Practices Essay

20

Hands-on Laboratory Experience

20

Inventory of Artifacts Processed

20

Artifact Report

20

TOTAL

100


Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A

94 – 100 %

A-

90 – 93 %

B+

87 – 89 %

B

83 – 86 %

B-

80 – 82 %

C+

75 – 79 %

C

70 – 74 %

C-

65 – 69 %

D

60 – 64 %

F

0 – 59 %


VI. Assignment Submission:

  • Written assignments should be double-spaced using 12-point type.
  • Students should be pro-active in making sure assignments are done on time.
  • It is the student's responsibility to make sure the teacher gets his/her assignment.

VII. Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to display honesty in all academic matters. Please review the Academic Integrity statement found in the University Bulletin for a complete description of what constitutes academic dishonesty along with the consequences for such behavior.

 

VIII. Recommended Textbooks:

Hendrix, Ralph and Bjornar Storfjell

            1995    Ancient Pottery of Transjordan, Berrien Springs, MI:  Institute of Archaeology Publication

Herr, Larry G. et al.

            2002    Excavation Manual: Madaba Plains Project, Berrien Springs, MI: Institute of Archaeology Publication

Levi, Thomas, P. M. Michele Daviau, Randall W. Younker and May Shaer

            2007    Crossing Jordan:  North American Contributions to the Archaeology of Jordan, London: Equinox Publishing

London, Gloria A. and Douglas R. Clark

            1997    Ancient Ammonites and Modern Arabs, Amman, Jordan:  American Schools of Oriental Research

Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn

1996    Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. London: Thames and Hudson

Rice, Patricia 

1998    Doing Archaeology: A Hands-on Laboratory Manual. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company

Richard, Suzanne, ed.

2003        Near Eastern Archaeology: A Reader. Winnona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbraun

 

IX. Course Outline:

May               Complete 40 hours of preparatory reading and note-taking on best practices for processing a selected type of artifact

                      Submit best practices essay based on preparatory reading (20% of grade)

 

June/July         Complete 60 hours of hands-on work analyzing and processing a particular type of artifact

                       Provide complete inventory of objects or artifacts processed as part of this lab experience (20% of grade)

                       Obtain and submit supervisor comments on hands-on laboratory work (20% of grade)

 

August             Prepare and submit Artifact Study Report. 

                       Due at the end of August (20% of grade)

                       Turn in Notebook (20% of grade)

 

 

Edited 01/16/07 jlpc