,AGE3702 ASSESSMENT 4 PORTFOLIO ANSWERS - DUE DATE OCTOBER 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1 Archaeology, archaeological evidence and the value of archaeological research
1.1.1 The difference between archaeology and history
Archaeology and history are closely related disciplines because both investigate the human
past, but they use different types of evidence. History generally relies heavily on written and
documentary sources such as letters, official records, newspapers, diaries and other written
accounts. Archaeology, on the other hand, studies material remains left behind by people,
including stone tools, pottery, animal bones, structures, fireplaces, plant remains, rock
paintings and archaeological deposits. Archaeology is therefore particularly important when
studying communities that did not leave written records because material evidence can
provide information that cannot be obtained from documents (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Archaeology can also reveal the everyday experiences of people who may have been
excluded from written historical accounts. For example, archaeological remains can provide
information about food, technology, settlement patterns, trade, social organisation and
religious practices. At Kruger Cave, archaeological deposits and rock art provide evidence of
Later Stone Age occupation and human activities over long periods, even though the people
who occupied the cave did not leave written historical records (Bradfield et al., 2022).
Archaeology therefore helps create a broader and more inclusive understanding of the past.
1.1.2 Categories of archaeological evidence and their contribution to interpretation
Stone and other artefacts: Stone tools, pottery, beads and other manufactured objects provide
information about technology, manufacturing techniques, activities and economic practices.
Changes in artefact types can also help archaeologists identify changes in technology and
cultural behaviour over time (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Animal remains: Bones, shells and other animal remains can provide evidence about diet,
hunting, fishing and the environment in which people lived. They can also help researchers
, understand which animals were available and how communities interacted with their
surroundings.
Plant and charcoal remains: Seeds, wood, charcoal and other plant remains can provide
information about food, fuel use, vegetation and environmental conditions. Such evidence
may also indicate whether plants were collected, consumed or used for other purposes.
Rock art and other symbolic evidence: Paintings, engravings and other symbolic remains can
provide information about cultural beliefs, identity, communication and relationships
between people and their environment. At Kruger Cave, the painted rock shelter forms an
important part of the site's archaeological and heritage significance (Bradfield et al., 2022).
1.1.3 The contribution of archaeological research to human behaviour, cultural change and
heritage conservation
Archaeological research helps researchers reconstruct human behaviour by examining what
people produced, used, discarded and modified. The distribution of artefacts, food remains,
structures and other evidence can indicate activities such as hunting, cooking, tool production
and occupation. Archaeology can therefore provide evidence about how people adapted to
different environments and organised their daily lives (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Archaeology also helps identify cultural change. Differences between archaeological layers
can show how technologies, diets, settlement patterns and cultural practices changed through
time. At Kruger Cave, the stratified archaeological deposits provide an opportunity to
investigate different periods of occupation and changes in human activity (Bradfield et al.,
2022).
Research is also important for heritage conservation because conservation decisions should
be based on an understanding of what makes a site significant. Archaeological investigation
can identify fragile deposits, establish the extent of surviving remains and determine which
areas require protection. The Kruger Cave project demonstrates this relationship because
archaeological investigation was combined with remedial action intended to protect the
QUESTION 1
1.1 Archaeology, archaeological evidence and the value of archaeological research
1.1.1 The difference between archaeology and history
Archaeology and history are closely related disciplines because both investigate the human
past, but they use different types of evidence. History generally relies heavily on written and
documentary sources such as letters, official records, newspapers, diaries and other written
accounts. Archaeology, on the other hand, studies material remains left behind by people,
including stone tools, pottery, animal bones, structures, fireplaces, plant remains, rock
paintings and archaeological deposits. Archaeology is therefore particularly important when
studying communities that did not leave written records because material evidence can
provide information that cannot be obtained from documents (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Archaeology can also reveal the everyday experiences of people who may have been
excluded from written historical accounts. For example, archaeological remains can provide
information about food, technology, settlement patterns, trade, social organisation and
religious practices. At Kruger Cave, archaeological deposits and rock art provide evidence of
Later Stone Age occupation and human activities over long periods, even though the people
who occupied the cave did not leave written historical records (Bradfield et al., 2022).
Archaeology therefore helps create a broader and more inclusive understanding of the past.
1.1.2 Categories of archaeological evidence and their contribution to interpretation
Stone and other artefacts: Stone tools, pottery, beads and other manufactured objects provide
information about technology, manufacturing techniques, activities and economic practices.
Changes in artefact types can also help archaeologists identify changes in technology and
cultural behaviour over time (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Animal remains: Bones, shells and other animal remains can provide evidence about diet,
hunting, fishing and the environment in which people lived. They can also help researchers
, understand which animals were available and how communities interacted with their
surroundings.
Plant and charcoal remains: Seeds, wood, charcoal and other plant remains can provide
information about food, fuel use, vegetation and environmental conditions. Such evidence
may also indicate whether plants were collected, consumed or used for other purposes.
Rock art and other symbolic evidence: Paintings, engravings and other symbolic remains can
provide information about cultural beliefs, identity, communication and relationships
between people and their environment. At Kruger Cave, the painted rock shelter forms an
important part of the site's archaeological and heritage significance (Bradfield et al., 2022).
1.1.3 The contribution of archaeological research to human behaviour, cultural change and
heritage conservation
Archaeological research helps researchers reconstruct human behaviour by examining what
people produced, used, discarded and modified. The distribution of artefacts, food remains,
structures and other evidence can indicate activities such as hunting, cooking, tool production
and occupation. Archaeology can therefore provide evidence about how people adapted to
different environments and organised their daily lives (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012).
Archaeology also helps identify cultural change. Differences between archaeological layers
can show how technologies, diets, settlement patterns and cultural practices changed through
time. At Kruger Cave, the stratified archaeological deposits provide an opportunity to
investigate different periods of occupation and changes in human activity (Bradfield et al.,
2022).
Research is also important for heritage conservation because conservation decisions should
be based on an understanding of what makes a site significant. Archaeological investigation
can identify fragile deposits, establish the extent of surviving remains and determine which
areas require protection. The Kruger Cave project demonstrates this relationship because
archaeological investigation was combined with remedial action intended to protect the
