Archaeology 232 Final Exam
What method have archaeologists used to calculate the relative abundance and
number of animals represented at a site?
NISP and MNI
What is NISP and what is it good for?
Number of Identified Specimens- counts the number of whole and fragmented bone
pieces to determine the number of individuals present in assemblage
What is MNI and what is it good for?
Minimum Number of Identified Individuals- shows the minimum number of animals in a
skeletal assemblage and is used to estimate how many animals might have been killed
and processed.
What consists of incontrovertible evidence for food actually consumed?
Its presence in preserved stomachs or feces
What is Taphonomy?
used to describe how both natural and cultural forces shape the creation of the
archaeological record, study of what happens to organic remains after death.
How do archaeologists distinguish between male & female animals?
Bone measurements and sexual dimorphism.
What is the Secondary Products Revolution?
new uses for domesticated animals, beyond their meat and hides. These new products
included milk, wool, and the use of manure for fertilizer. Moreover, some animals were
used for power and transportation (answer from google)
What is stable isotope analysis and how can it be used to answer questions
about diet?
Makes inferences about types of food consumed
For meat: levels of copper, zinc, manganese, and strontium
Teeth: wear patterns on teeth
What is the difference between a subsistence specialist and generalist?
Specialist: diversity of plants and animals but with a single primary resource.
Generalist: food comprises a wide variety of wild plants and animals.
How do archaeologists go about identifying ancient animal and plant remains?
Comparative collections
What forms of secondary evidence are there for the use of plants and animals?
Secondary evidence: tools (used to collect, harvest, or hunt) art, landscape modification
What is the Neolithic Revolution? Was it revolutionary?
The shift to agriculture from hunting and gathering.
How do domesticated animals compare against their wild counterparts?
Domesticated animals are usually smaller because of their diet and activity.
Dog domestication: why?
Not for certain, but multiple reasons such as food, hunting, guarding camps, or herding
sheep - does not have to have a reason initially
What method have archaeologists used to calculate the relative abundance and
number of animals represented at a site?
NISP and MNI
What is NISP and what is it good for?
Number of Identified Specimens- counts the number of whole and fragmented bone
pieces to determine the number of individuals present in assemblage
What is MNI and what is it good for?
Minimum Number of Identified Individuals- shows the minimum number of animals in a
skeletal assemblage and is used to estimate how many animals might have been killed
and processed.
What consists of incontrovertible evidence for food actually consumed?
Its presence in preserved stomachs or feces
What is Taphonomy?
used to describe how both natural and cultural forces shape the creation of the
archaeological record, study of what happens to organic remains after death.
How do archaeologists distinguish between male & female animals?
Bone measurements and sexual dimorphism.
What is the Secondary Products Revolution?
new uses for domesticated animals, beyond their meat and hides. These new products
included milk, wool, and the use of manure for fertilizer. Moreover, some animals were
used for power and transportation (answer from google)
What is stable isotope analysis and how can it be used to answer questions
about diet?
Makes inferences about types of food consumed
For meat: levels of copper, zinc, manganese, and strontium
Teeth: wear patterns on teeth
What is the difference between a subsistence specialist and generalist?
Specialist: diversity of plants and animals but with a single primary resource.
Generalist: food comprises a wide variety of wild plants and animals.
How do archaeologists go about identifying ancient animal and plant remains?
Comparative collections
What forms of secondary evidence are there for the use of plants and animals?
Secondary evidence: tools (used to collect, harvest, or hunt) art, landscape modification
What is the Neolithic Revolution? Was it revolutionary?
The shift to agriculture from hunting and gathering.
How do domesticated animals compare against their wild counterparts?
Domesticated animals are usually smaller because of their diet and activity.
Dog domestication: why?
Not for certain, but multiple reasons such as food, hunting, guarding camps, or herding
sheep - does not have to have a reason initially
