Final answer:
Archaeological evidence of social ranking can be found in burial practices and grave goods, such as the division of wealth in Catal Huyuk and the veneration of decorated skulls in Neolithic Jericho. Pottery and stone tools can also reveal social divisions and cultural changes over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archaeological evidence of social ranking in archaeological contexts can be seen in the burial practices and grave goods found in tombs. For example, in Catal Huyuk, some individuals were buried with jewelry and wealth, while others were buried with very few objects. This indicates a clear division between the rich and the poor in that society.
Another example is the discovery of decorated skulls in Neolithic Jericho. These skulls were created by plastering over human skulls and placing pieces of shell in the eye sockets. Historians speculate that these skulls were venerated as relics of ancestors and objects of worship, indicating a form of social hierarchy and reverence for certain individuals.
Additionally, typological sequences of pottery and stone tools can also reveal social divisions and changes in culture over time. Changes in pottery styles and techniques, for instance, can indicate the movement of people and the spread of ideas, suggesting connections and interactions between different communities.