this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2023
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Archaeology

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Archaeology or archeology[a] is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscapes.

Archaeology has various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time.

The discipline involves surveying, excavation, and eventually analysis of data collected, to learn more about the past. In broad scope, archaeology relies on cross-disciplinary research. Read more...

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Experimental replication shows knives manufactured from frozen human feces do not work (2019, j. arch. science) (cdn.inst-fs-iad-prod.inscloudgate.net)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/archaeology@mander.xyz
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The ethnographic account of an Inuit man manufacturing a knife from his own frozen feces to butcher and disarticulate a dog has permeated both the academic literature and popular culture. To evaluate the validity of this claim, we tested the basis of that account via experimental archaeology. Our experiments assessed the functionality of knives made from human feces in controlled conditions that provided optimal conditions for success. However, they were not functional. While much research has shown foragers to be technologically resourceful, innovative, and savvy, we suggest that this ethnographic account should no longer be used to support that narrative.

Pictures, sfw: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X19305371#ec0005

Paper breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=InxxUbdIeGw

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[โ€“] fossilesque@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Maybe wear neoprene.

[โ€“] FlyingSquid@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

OT: did you see this post I made? I would love to know your thoughts. https://mander.xyz/post/1122359

[โ€“] fossilesque@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Too far back and not my region, but I've done age modelling and that looks all well and good as much as oxcal is my arch nemesis. I just updated my comment.

[โ€“] FlyingSquid@mander.xyz 2 points 2 years ago

Much appreciated.