Charts the intellectual impact of the European discovery of the New World and the ways in which this discovery influenced both the emergence of anthropology and archaeology as disciplines. Looks at how Columbus, in search of better trade routes, opened up a New World--and the minds of Europe. From the vast empires of the Aztecs to the roving tribes of hunters and gatherers, the evidence of cultural evolution as a global process was irrefutable.
Researchers examine how enculturation and economic cooperation have shaped the homes and families of people throughout history. Remains of houses at archaeological sites and footage of family life in traditional cultures provide a glimpse into what family life must have been like.
Researchers explore the link between economic and cultural evolution. Hunter-gatherers and early agriculturalists had simple divisions of labor, but today people make a living in many ways. The proliferation of occupations and the extreme economic interdependence of today are the result of increasing job specialization, which causes society to continually undergo restructuring.
Unearthing and interpreting the signs and symbols that define societies can be challenging yet revealing. From deciphering ancient scripts to understanding status symbols, archaeologists use ancient and modern examples to reconstruct the meaning of the symbols they find.
Researchers examine how powerful groups or individuals have managed to control vast areas of land from ancient times to the present day. The different methods archaeologists use to study how rulers gain and keep power are examined.
Often archaeologists cannot reconstruct actual boarders of ancient kingdoms; however, they use various methods to gain insight into ancient customs and traditions. They use these techniques to learn about the internal workings of societies. Some of the concepts they study include: marriage alliances, trade routes, and past conflicts.
Archaeologists look at ritual behavior and sacred spaces in archaeological settings to attribute religious meanings. Examples from present-day, traditional societies show the complexity of spiritual life, as well as the limits and possibilities of archaeological reconstruction.
Why do civilizations fail? Archaeologists study the sites of civilizations that no longer exist. The collapse of Copan brought on by overpopulation and over-exploitation of resources is explored along with other ancient cultures that have faced destruction.