Abstract
This paper discusses the plot and theme of "The Alchemist" and then discusses how the ideas propounded in the book pertain to the author's personal endeavors in trying to become an archeologist. The paper discusses how the book espouses the notion that in order to pursue one's dreams, that person must be subjected to tests of persistence and courage.

From the Paper
"The main character Santiago sees a vision while staying the night in an old church about finding treasures in a far off deserts of Egypt near the pyramids. Although the treasure is not found there, a man arrives and tells him that dreams are pointless, and relays his dream to Santiago of digging up treasure in an abandoned church, the same one Santiago had spent the night in and dreamed of a treasure in Egypt. Thus, the point of the journey was not digging in the sand but rather exploring the world and making one's own adventures into the treasure they seek."

Tags:archeology dreams myths, literature

Abstract
This paper presents two fixed essay questions of three pages: the first, on patterns in how civilizations rise and fall that stresses work of Wright and Diamond to do with repeating destructive ecological practices. The second paper responds to an open question as to why one should not disturb burial sites, that addresses later 20th century collaboration between indigenous groups and archaeologists, and the prevention of site looting and sale of artifacts.

From the Paper
"Human civilizations have emerged and fallen according to a rather predictable pattern. Ronald Wright referred to civilizations as having begun with an idea, in the cultivation of a food supply, the Middle East one of several regions of the world where agriculture developed independently at around the same time. (Progress 42) The ability to predict local food allowed larger populations to be organized, specialized labour and a leisure class with the luxury of time to deduce new planning. Unfortunately, as Jared Diamond has argued, human civilizations have a way of advancing to points of ecological crisis that usually spells their..."

Tags:civilization, archaeology, wright, diamond

Abstract
The paper reveals that Africa's influence on mathematics dates back thousands of years to before the beginning of recorded history, for archeological evidence indicates that ancient African societies made significant contributions to the study of mathematics beginning as far back as prehistoric times. The paper offers the example that the Ishango bone found by archeologists in Zaire has been dated circa 18,000 BCE and a much older bone found in Namibia dated circa 35,000 BCE both indicate a knowledge of basic arithmetic, for they were inscribed with equally spaced tally marks used for counting.

From the Paper
"Africa's influence on mathematics dates back thousands of years to before the beginning of recorded history, for archeological evidence indicates that ancient African societies made significant contributions to the study of mathematics beginning as far back as prehistoric times. For example, the Ishango bone found by archeologists in Zaire has been dated circa 18,000 BCE and a much older bone found in Namibia dated circa 35,000 BCE both indicate a knowledge of basic arithmetic, for they were inscribed..."

Tags:african, mathematics, influence

Abstract
The paper relates that when the ancient city of Uruk in southern Mesopotamia was first discovered and unearthed in the early 1900s, many archeologists had no idea about the riches to be found there; the earliest form of cuneiform, seal impression, enormous buildings and temples and other structures, and a city area that extended over 200 acres. The paper shows how Uruk has become the key to a better understanding of the Near East and Mesopotamia and Sumeria in particular.

From the Paper
"The site of ancient Uruk, now often referred to as Warka is a key to ancient Mesopotamian culture not merely because of the size of the ancient city, but also because of "its virtually uninterrupted occupation....and by the rich archeological and epigraphic material it has yielded" (Roux 1986 68). The Near East in ancient days was an area mostly in turmoil. Wars and occupations, overthrows of dynasties, natural and man-made disasters often disrupted the locations of ancient cities which, had they remained intact, might have provided a far greater understanding of those times and its people."

Tags:mesopotamian, culture, excavation

Abstract
This paper explores the the technological and cultural achievements of ancient Egypt with an emphasis on the pyramids and how they were constructed. First, the paper presents numerous scientific advances of ancient Egyptian civilization. Then, an in-depth discussion of pyramid construction and the reasons behind building these tombs is presented. Various dynasties are described in light of the ongoing development of ancient Egyptian architecture. The paper continues by giving a detailed account of how today's archeologists believe the pyramids were constructed, showing which materials were used and how the ancient Egyptians fashioned tools to aid in building. The paper concludes by citing some extant examples of ancient Egyptian tombs and pyramids.

From the Paper
"Ancient Egyptians were, even without including the pyramids, highly successful in terms of technological advancement. In the Early Dynastic period, from 2950 - 2575 B.C., the Egyptians were creating the capitol city of Memphis, designing underground burial tombs, practicing mummification, and using early forms of hieroglyphs (Baines). Further, these highly intellectual individuals developed, according to author Peter James, antibiotics (9), numerous surgical instruments (14), canals (88), automatically opening doors (122), plank built ships (83), black ink (94), and a host of other inventions. After improving stone working technologies in the Predynastic period (5,500 - 3,100 B.C.), the Egyptians of the Dynastic period discovered and improved masonry, allowing them to develop multiple artifacts of limestone, sandstone, granite, calcite, basalt, and quartzite. Those artifacts included statues, vessels, beads, sarcophagi, obelisks, and, of course, the pyramids (Stocks, 13)."

Tags:Great Pyramids, Herodotus, tombs

Abstract
This paper will discuss the historical precedent set by Homer's The Iliad, and seek to understand the mistaken conclusion that it was an actual history, rather than a mythos. By understanding that certain archeologists have shown, the evidence does not, and cannot perpetuate this theory, and hence, never proven. By resenting the facts that have been uncovered from this ancient story, as well as some of facts that are shown in the data recovered for the site of Troy, which is the basic foundation for this argument, we can see how the evidence is severely lacking in the connection of fact with fiction.

Abstract
The paper begins with the discovery of the ancient city of Troy in 19th century Turkey. The archeological process involved in the discovery is discussed. The archeologists' choice of location is studied and the personality of Homer is examined. The paper explores the realities of the Trojan War and concludes by espousing the significance of the discovery for the historical field of study.

From the Paper
"The city of Troy and the Trojan people were always considered mythological until the end of the 19th century. So far the world had come to know Troy through the mythological rendition by Homer. However in 1871, Heinrich Schliemann began excavation in an ancient city of Turkey. Schliemann, who was an American citizen but German by birth, was the first man in history who discovered that there was indeed a city named Troy, though in ruins. The lost city of Troy is also called Ilion or Ilium in Latin (Stearns, 2001). The excavation he began was continued till at least nine cities were discovered at the original site of excavation, layered one on top of the other. It was the seventh city that was found to be Troy. The archeologists agreed that the city was destroyed around 1250 BC and resembled closely the city of Troy as described in Homer's legends. The ruins could still be seen in the sixteen feet thick towers and walls of the city that was discovered (Luce, 1998)."

Tags:Troy (Asia Minor) Schliemann, Herbert Iliad Homer

Abstract
This paper explains why anthropological archeologists are interested in cultural evolution, discusses the Spencerian and Darwinian models of cultural evolution, identifies the key characteristics of tribes, chiefdoms, and archaic states, and analyzes what kinds of material remains might archaeologists find most useful in their search for a better understanding of how prehistoric cultural evolution worked.

Abstract
The paper discusses the significance of the area of the Levant to archeologists and religious scholars who are interested in determining the implications of life during the Bronze Age for history, religion and politics. The paper looks at the wreck of the Uluburun ship and its artifacts, relics and raw materials.

From the Paper
"Though it is a small area, the Levant has played host to some of the most monumental events in history. The origin of three of the world's major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the area is of interest to religious scholars and archeologists alike. Archeologists had always suspected that the area was rich in trade, but the sheer number of artifacts on the ship suggest that not only was trade in the area extensive, but also that several of the people groups represented through items on the ship associated socially."

Tags:relics, materials, remains, routes

Abstract
By providing an in-depth description of what was found in the Shrines of Tutankhamen, the writer examines general Egyptian history of the era and of Tutankhamen's reign. The paper also explores the shrines from an artistic perspective.

From the Paper
"Tutankhamun was one of the youngest kings in Egypt, but his tomb was one of the most detailed and beautiful tombs in all of Egypt. No one knows why such a young king was buried in such an elaborate tomb. It is hard to imagine what the young king must have been like in his years. He lived a very short life and died in 1323 B.C.

?From a dry, dusty, Upper Egyptian valley in the year 1922, the news of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun flashed around the world and excited the imaginations of all who heard it.? On November 4th, 1922, the Tomb of Tutankhamun was found hidden beneath the foundations of Ramesses workmen's huts. They were near the entrance of the tomb of Ramesses VI. The discovery of the tomb was made by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter."

Tags:art, history, shrines, tomb, egypt, ancient, antechamber, Ramesses, discovery, archeologist