ANTH560A

043888

This course treats the documentation, analysis, and interpretation of \"perishable\" material culture that is defined by its susceptibility to natural processes of decay and degradation. Such perishable technologies include, but are not limited to string, nets, footwear, baskets and textiles. Despite the archaeological elusiveness of perishables, cross-cultural archaeological and ethnographic evidence attest to the abundance and critical importance of objects fabricated by humans from organic materials such as plants, animal skins, and feathers. Hands-on experience with protocols of documentation and analysis are a primary focus of the course, but a global history of perishable technologies and methodological and theoretical possibilities are also detailed in lectures. Class meetings emphasize an overtly experiential approach to perishable technologies through archaeological and historic objects, photographs, negative impressions in plastic media, production tools, and experimentation.

GRD - Regular Grades A, B, C, D, E

Graduate

ANTH460A