Nov 21, 2024  
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT 
    
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ARC 250 - Archaeology Laboratory

4 Credits, 6 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 3 lab periods
Laboratory experience in the curating, processing and analysis of artifacts recovered from archaeological sites. Includes human osteology, zooarchaeology, lithic analysis, prehistoric ceramics, shells, historic artifacts, and usage of the Archaeology Centre.

Prerequisite(s): ARC 180  or ARC 275  or ARC 276 .
Information: Prerequisite(s) may be waived with consent of instructor.
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify human skeletal materials.
  2. List various animal bones common to archaeological sites.
  3. Replicate chipped stone manufacturing techniques and conduct a preliminary analysis of stone tools.
  4. Discuss multicultural techniques of prehistoric ceramic manufacture and demonstrate universal techniques for archaeological ceramic analysis.
  5. Identify and compare kinds of shell and shell artifacts.
  6. Identify historic archaeological artifacts.
  7. Utilize collection, materials, and resources of the Archaeology Centre.

Outline:
  1. Human Osteology
    1. Variation and diversity
    2. Analysis methods
    3. Sex and age determination techniques
  2. Zooarchaeology
    1. Analytical methods
    2. Mammal and avian bone identification
  3. Lithic Analysis
    1. Stone tool production
    2. Analytical procedures and classification schemes
  4. Prehistoric Ceramics
    1. Identification
    2. Classification
    3. Manufacture and production techniques
  5. Shells
    1. Identification and sources
    2. Utilization
  6. Historic Artifacts
  7. Hands on Experience Identifying and Studying the Collections, Materials, and Resources of the Archaeology Centre