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Archaeologists and Anthropologists

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following key concepts:

Archaeology

Artifact

Radiocarbon Dating

Anthropology

Mary Leakey

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An Archaeologist at Work

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Archaeology

• Archaeology is the study of past human life and culture by the recovery of remaining material evidence.

• Archaeologists excavate or carefully dig up objects from the past.

• The excavated objects are called artifacts.

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Artifacts

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Radiocarbon Dating

• Archaeologists use radiocarbon dating to determine the age of an artifact.

• By measuring the amount of Carbon 14 an object contains, archaeologists can determine the age of an ancient object.

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Equipment Used for Radiocarbon Dating

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Anthropology

• Anthropology is the study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural developments of humans.

• Mary Leakey was a famous anthropologist.

• She concluded that human life began or evolved in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa.

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Mary Leakey in Africa

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Historical Dates

• The birth of Jesus is used by many societies to mark historical events.

• Events that occurred before the birth of Jesus are referred to as B.C.

• Events that occurred after the birth of Jesus are referred to as A.D.

• However, this could be considered ethnocentric. It is also possible to use B.C.E. and C.E. to avoid ethnocentrism.

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Should the birth of Jesus determine historical dates?

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Questions for Reflection• Define archaeology.• Provide examples of artifacts.• Why is radiocarbon dating so valuable?• Define anthropology.• Who was Mary Leakey?• Where did she believe human life began?• How is the birth of Jesus used to mark historical

events?• Should the birth of Jesus be used to mark

historical events?