Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2016 - ARCH 485 D100

Lithic Technology (5)

Class Number: 5638

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 11, 2016: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2016
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Dennis Sandgathe
    dms@sfu.ca
    778.782.4817
    Office: EDB 9611
    Office Hours: Thurs. 1:30-2:30

  • Prerequisites:

    ARCH 372.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An in-depth study of how to manufacture and analyze stone tools. Includes rock and mineral identification, stone working by students, fracture mechanics, and relevance to theoretical problems.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course includes an examination of the history of stone tool use, from its first known adoption by early hominin species in Africa through the subsequent appearances and development of the various technologies used throughout prehistory in the Old and New Worlds. Closer examinations will be made of the lithic technologies and culture histories of Western Europe and North America. Basic components of the course will be: a review of the history of stone tool research and early approaches to lithic analysis, but the major components will be an examination of current approaches to lithic research (including the construction of typologies, stone tool replicative research, technological analysis, debitage analysis, and functional analysis studies) and an examination of the basic lithic strategies employed by prehistoric cultures. Students will also be provided with a basic knowledge of stone tool raw material (rock) types and properties, and time will be spent with both theoretical and hands-on learning of the physics and mechanics of flaking stone and manufacturing specific tool types.

Grading

  • Quizzes/Exercises/Participation 45%
  • Lithic Analysis Project 30%
  • Final Exam 25%

NOTES:

This course fulfills a Group IV requirement.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis. Andrefsky, William Jr.
ISBN: 978-0-5216-1500-6

RECOMMENDED READING:

The text will be supplemented with articles on different aspects of stone tool research.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Students with Disabilities (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Deferred grades will be given only on the basis of authenticated medical disability.


Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS