ANT 304 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Processual Archaeology, Radiocarbon Dating, Willard Libby
Document Summary
During the renaissance, princes and people of refinement began to form cabinets of curiosities, in which curios and ancient artifacts were displayed rather haphazardly with exotic minerals. They also collected relics of greece and rome. Rejection of a literal interpretation of the biblical account of early human history and the establishment of the antiquity of humankind. Thomas jefferson conducted the 1st scientific excavation in 1784. This marked the end of the speculative phase. The three aged system was created to as a way to classify artifacts. The stone age, bronze age and iron age. The enduring belief in a vanished race of mound builders. In the late 19th century, methodology of scientific excavation began to be generally adopted. Increasing collaboration with specialist in other disciplines such as animal or plant studies. Post world war 2 development of an environmental or ecological explanation for past change. Development of radiocarbon dating aided archaeology - willard.
