Skill – an introductionNada Khreisheh

What is Skill?

Photos: Whitlock 2011

What is Skill?

• 1:– A) the ability to use one's knowledge effectively

and readily in execution or performance – B) dexterity or coordination especially in the

execution of learned physical tasks • 2:– a learned power of doing something

competently : a developed aptitude or ability(Merriam-Webster 2012)

Types of Skill

• Skill can be divided into 2 separate areas of understanding and ability:– Connaissance (Knowledge).– Savoir-faire (Know-how).

• Identified by Pelegrin in relation to flintknapping (1990).• Connaissance – understanding of how a task should be

performed, mental image of intended object, understanding of technical stages that must be performed.

• Savoir-faire – physical ability to carry out a task, possession of necessary motor skills and ability to adapt these as needed.

Skill Aquisition

• Learning:– Observation– Emulation– Teaching– Practice

Skill Acquisition

• Teaching:– Observation– Demonstration– Scaffolding

• Archaeological evidence:– Spatial evidence– Artifactual

evidence

Skill Acquisition

• Aptitude/natural abilities:– Motor skills– Spatial abilities– Intelligence– Age– Sex– Size/weight/strength

Why is this important for archaeologists?

• Interpreting behaviour• Understanding archaeological remains.• Identifying children.• Understanding social structure.• Identifying craft specialisation.

Why is this important for experimental archaeologists?

• Craft skills• Understanding technology from artefacts• Time factors• Learning/teaching methods• Project Development – identifying highly

skilled craftspeople

Conclusion

• Skill is an important concept for archaeologists.• Studying it can help us get a better understanding of

human behaviour from archaeological remains.• It is a key issue for experimental archaeologists

demonstrating craft skills and planning experimental projects.

References:

Pelegrin, J. 1990: Prehistoric lithic technology: some aspects of research, Archaeological Review from Cambridge. 9 (1), 116-25.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skill