Classifying Artifacts Assignment (50 pts): Through this assignment you will explore and evaluate the how archaeologists classify artifacts and ecofacts, and the complexities of creating and using classification systems.

1. As we have seen, archaeologists must classify artifacts and ecofacts to make sense of the archaeological record. Using the classification methods we have discussed in Chapter 7, you will use artifacts from your own life to explore how archaeologists classify artifacts. You will use the attributes of material, technology, function, and style in your classification.
2. First, choose the objects you are going to classify. For this assignment, the objects must have a function and you must have at least 10 of these objects to examine. Some examples of objects that could be used include spoons, forks, hammers, pens, keys, or cups.
3. Once you have chosen the objects for your classification scheme, first create a classification based on material (such as separating wooden spoons, plastic spoons, and metal spoons into three groups based on their material). Then, create a classification based on technology (such as hand-carved spoons versus cast spoons). Then, create a functional typology (such as serving spoons versus soup spoons). Finally, classify the objects based on style (such as white spoons versus blue spoons). For each of your classification schemes, present your observations in a data table that lists the variables (such as material) you used for each classification and the numbers of objects with each attribute (such as the number of hand-carved spoons versus cast spoons).
4. After you have created your artifact classification, please write a short report on your classification using both your classification and the information discussed in Chapter 7. The assignment should be turned in as a 1-2 page written report (including your classification table) uploaded to Canvas. Your report should include the questions below in bold with the answers underneath each question (not in bold). You do not need to write an introduction or conclusion.
   1. What artifacts did you choose for your classification and why?
   2. Did your classifications of the same objects differ based on material, technology, function, and style? How were your classification schemes the same or different?
   3. Were there any objects that did not fit your classification scheme(s) very well?
   4. If an archaeologist in the future was examining your group of objects and creating a classification scheme, which artifact classification would you want them to use to best understand you and your objects? Why? Does one classification scheme give a future archaeologist a better sense of your life than others? Why or why not?
   5. Please include your classification table.