ANTH 260
Great Dramas of Archaeology Fall 2024
Division II

Was the tomb of Tutankhamun cursed? How did Esamun, Priest of Amun (c. 1100 BC) live in the Great Temple of Amun? How was his body mummified? Was Otzi the Ice Man (discovered in the Italian Alps) tattooed? Has Lidar (remote mapping using laser light) revolutionized archaeology? Was Yax Nuun Ayiin (one of the most important kings of the Maya city of Tikal) a foreigner? These are some of the questions and case studies of the course as we examine how great discoveries or new technologies have transformed archaeology over the last century. At the same time, these case studies will provide a window into ancient lives and livelihoods, as well as into how archaeologists reconstruct the past. We will pay particular attention to the perspectives of the less powerful, including women, children, and immigrants or foreigners. The course will provide hands-on experience with ArcGIS and Lidar data.