Horizon

Definition

In archaeology, a horizon refers to a specific layer or level within a stratigraphic sequence that is characterized by a distinct set of artifacts or features. This concept helps archaeologists identify and date cultural phases or events across different sites, providing a broader understanding of historical developments and interactions within a region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Horizon layers often contain similar artifacts or features that can be linked to specific cultural practices or groups, making them essential for understanding cultural connections across regions.
2. Different horizons can indicate shifts in technology, trade, or social organization, revealing how cultures adapted over time.
3. Horizon analysis helps archaeologists correlate findings from various sites, enabling them to construct a more comprehensive narrative of human history.
4. In some cases, a horizon can represent a significant event, such as a migration or the introduction of new technology, which can drastically impact local cultures.
5. Horizon identification often relies on both physical characteristics of the layer and associated dating methods to establish chronological frameworks.

Review Questions

• How do horizons contribute to our understanding of cultural changes over time in archaeology?
  • Horizons serve as markers within stratigraphic sequences that allow archaeologists to identify specific cultural phases or events. By analyzing the artifacts and features associated with each horizon, researchers can track changes in technology, social organization, and trade practices over time. This information helps build a clearer picture of how cultures evolved and interacted with one another across different regions.
• What role does stratigraphy play in identifying horizons, and why is this important for archaeological research?
  • Stratigraphy provides the framework for understanding the layers of soil and sediment at an archaeological site. By examining these layers, archaeologists can identify horizons based on the presence of distinctive artifacts or features. This process is crucial because it allows researchers to establish chronological relationships between different sites and interpret cultural changes over time based on the stratigraphic record.
• Evaluate the implications of horizon studies on our understanding of ancient trade networks and cultural interactions.
  • Horizon studies have significant implications for understanding ancient trade networks and cultural interactions. By correlating horizons across different sites, archaeologists can identify patterns of trade and movement that suggest connections between diverse cultures. Analyzing these horizons can reveal how goods, ideas, and technologies were exchanged among societies, highlighting the complexity and dynamics of past interactions that shaped human history.

Related terms

Stratigraphy: The study of rock layers (strata) and layering, which is crucial in understanding the chronological sequence of archaeological sites.

Context: The relationship between artifacts, features, and their locations in an archaeological site, providing insight into past human behavior and activity.

Chronology: The arrangement of events in their order of occurrence, essential for understanding the timing of cultural changes reflected in the stratigraphic record.