A classroom and field introduction to the techniques of underwater research in marine sciences, with a focus on archaeology. A survey of the history, theory, methods, and problems of underwater archaeology, with attention given to the types of investigations and environments in which underwater archaeology is conducted and to the field's particular contributions to anthropology. This course examines the prehistory of North America from the earliest big-game hunters who exploited extinct megafauna to the societies existing at the time of historic contact. Regional variation and continuity in subsistence and settlement patterns and material culture are examined. Investigates the development of high civilization in ancient Mesoamerica.
Evidence is drawn from archaeology, art, architecture, and ethnography.
Aspects of prehistoric society covered include subsistence systems, trade, social and political organizations, ideology, calendrics and astronomy, language and writing, artifacts, architecture, sculpture and painting. Format is seminar with presentations, research reports, and discussion. This course presents the principles of classic Maya hieroglyphic writing, its history, and methods of its decipherment. Classic Maya mathematics are also introduced, as are calendrics and astronomy, Maya grammar and text structure, and a survey of monumental texts from selected sites. This course focuses on major PreColumbian art traditions, as evidenced in the material culture.