Critically examine the ways in which popular media portray scientific findings in archaeology.

ANTH 2363 Final Lab Projects

The goal of this project is to critically evaluate one of three research topics (1) as portrayed in popular media to the general public and (2) within the discipline of archaeology. You will compare and contrast how media outlets, such as the History Channel and NatGeo, present archaeological findings versus what scientific research in the discipline is actually indicating. Throughout the semester, we will watch portions of videos that present issues and hypotheses related to three topics. You will then choose the topic that is of most interest to you and begin working in groups to research and create a public presentation that will be given on the last day of lab. Make sure you watch the entire video related to the topic you choose and take detailed notes on popular portrayals of the topic and what archaeologists are actually arguing. You will also be responsible for a research paper critically examining a major research question, the main hypotheses, data, and scientific conclusions related to your chosen topic. This paper will be written individually, but based on the research you conducted for the group project.

Learning Objectives
• Critically examine the ways in which popular media portray scientific findings in archaeology.
• Identify the research questions, hypotheses, data used, and findings in scholarly research by archaeologists.
• Learn to use library resources more effectively, and to distill large amounts of information into a concise, comprehensible format.
• Differentiate between “scholarly” resources and “popular” resources, the blurred relationship between the two, and the appropriate uses of each.
• Improve skills in writing, giving presentations, and working in groups.
Group 2: Abandonment of Chaco Canyon/Mesa Verde and “Anasazi Disappearance”
For much of the last century, and continuing today, the Anasazi (a mispronunciation of a Navajo word for “Ancient Non-Navajos” or “Ancient Ones”) were portrayed by the popular media as having abandoned Chaco Canyon by AD 1100, and later mysteriously disappeared by AD 1300. Archaeologists during the same time often cited a regional drought as the causal factor in the collapse of Anasazi systems. Anasazi is a culture history term for an “archaeological culture.” Southwest Tribes object to arguments that the Anasazi disappeared. In reality the people responsible for what we call “Anasazi” today were the ancestors of modern Pueblos. Many archaeologists now prefer the term “Ancestral Puebloan” and recognize that these people did not simply disappear; instead, for a variety of reasons, these populations migrated to different areas.
Those who choose this topic should be sure to focus on both unicausal models and multicausal models for Anasazi abandonment of Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. You will need to evaluate the more sensational claims for collapse and abandonment (i.e., Cannibalism or Mexican brute squads) and explain the ethical implications of such arguments. What are archaeologists actually finding in the region, and what hypotheses best explain the “disappearance” of the Anasazi? What types of data are being relied upon in these arguments? Why are these findings not making it into public discourse on these topics? Why do myths of Anasazi disappearance persist?

Video:
· Townsley, Graham (2005) Mystery of the Anasazi. Digging for the Truth. Season 1, Episode 13. The History Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q1rVTvrDsshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q1rVTvrDss

Individual Paper Requirements:
· A 5-10 page (double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins) summary paper of your topic along with an annotated bibliography
· You must include:
· Basics – Who, what, when, and where. Quickly outline the basic facts and history of your research topic, including where it is focused and when (archaeologically) it occurred. Provide a brief background on the history or prehistory of the area.
· Conflict – Each of these topics is controversial for some reason or another. Describe the history of archaeological research—how was the topic brought to the attention of archaeologists, and what conflicts ensued? Present all sides of the argument.
· Popular Portrayals – How has this topic been presented by the media?
· Research – From an archaeological perspective, what hypotheses have been proposed for this topic, what are the relevant data, and what has been learned about historic or prehistoric cultures, peoples, interactions, events, etc.? How has this research been carried out?
· Who cares? – Who are the groups concerned with this topic, and what are their views and reactions? You may want to include scholars, descendent communities, politicians, etc.
· Your opinion – Based on the research you have completed, and specific evidence.
Works Cited:
· Works cited page (AAA, AIA/American Antiquity, or MLA formats only)
· Your paper must include at least 6 sources:
· At least 3 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed articles in journals, peer-reviewed scholarly books, etc.)
· At least 3 popular sources (websites, online blogs, newspaper articles)
· Wikipedia is NOT a source
· All sources must be properly cited in the works cited page in an annotated bibliography
· You must include in-text citations for all sources in the body of your paper
· Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be referred to the honors council (see attachment on plagiarism and proper citations)
· Your paper will be turned in via TurnItIn or SafeAssign on Blackboard.