Dr. Smith participated in ethnoarchaeology in order to Understand Aztec burial customs when he unearthed human remains.
Ethnoarchaeology involves studying contemporary societies to better understand past archaeological remains and behaviors. In the given options:
Finding out what the metal items he found were: This aligns more with archaeological analysis rather than ethnoarchaeology. Ethnoarchaeology typically involves studying living communities to gain insights into past archaeological sites.
Seeing whether the stone foundations in the Aztec houses he excavated were the bases for adobe brick walls: This is more related to archaeological interpretation of a specific site rather than ethnoarchaeology. Ethnoarchaeology typically involves studying the present-day to inform interpretations of the past.
Understanding Aztec burial customs when he unearthed human remains: This is a plausible reason for participating in ethnoarchaeology. By studying contemporary burial customs, archaeologists can gain insights into interpreting burial practices in ancient societies.
Figuring out what the 'weird pot' was: This is more in line with archaeological analysis. Ethnoarchaeology is usually concerned with studying living societies to gain insights into past behaviors rather than identifying specific artifacts.
Therefore, the most appropriate option related to ethnoarchaeology would be "Understanding Aztec burial customs when he unearthed human remains." Ethnoarchaeologists might study modern burial practices to inform their interpretations of burial customs in ancient cultures.