Read Online Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology by Timothy Darvill - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Timothy Darvill
Ads: Link
observed with a consequent obsession with the processes and the methodology whether at the practical level or the theoretical level. Increasingly, attention is being directed to what archaeologists actually produce, the end result of their labours, with an inevitable swing towards concerns over the nature of discourse and the production of knowledge.
Back -
New Search
archaeomagnetic dating [Ge].
A method of determining absolute dates for certain kinds of archaeological materials, particularly in-situ hearths, kilns, and furnaces. The method works because the materials used to construct these facilities contain fine particles of iron-rich elements such as haematite. When these materials are heated above about 650°C (the Curie point) all previous alignments in the magnetic particles are destroyed, and as the material cools the particles realign themselves on the Earth's natural magnetic field. Since the prevailing magnetic field moves over the course of time, local and regional sequences in the pattern of magnetic declination, dip, and intensity can be established and in-situ remains related to it to show when the last major episode of heating took place. The technique is very sensitive and can sometimes be used to show the time lapse between the inner and outer walls of a long-lived kiln or furnace. Compare PALEOMAGNETIC DATING .
Back -
New Search
archaeometry [De].
The application of techniques and procedures from the hard sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) and engineering to archaeological questions and problems.
Back -
New Search
archaeozoology [De].
A branch of archaeology focused around the recovery and analysis of animal remains in order to examine their physiology and ecology in relation to cultural activities and contribute to an understanding of animals in society. Major themes of investigation include animal domestication, exploitation and use patterns, butchery practices, and dietary contributions.
Back -
New Search
archaic [Ge].
1 In America, this term refers in a generic sense to a simple hunter-gatherer lifestyle involving small bands of people pursuing a pattern of seasonal movements linked to the migrations and periodic abundance of animal and plant foods.
2 Of ancient or early form. The term ‘archaic period’ is often used to describe the early phases in the development of a civilization.
Top
Back -
New Search
Archaic [CP].
The second of five general cultural stages proposed by G. Willey and P. Phillips in 1958 as a framework for the study of ancient communities in the Americas. The Archaic Stage (which in the original scheme succeeded the LITHIC ) embraced all the post-Pleistocene hunter-gatherer communities from the period after about 8000 bc. The Archaic Stage ends when sedentary agriculture becomes the main means of subsistence; its duration is therefore subject to considerable local variation.
The Archaic Stage is characterized by subsistence economies based on sedentary resources such as nuts, seeds, and shellfish, and a closer adjustment to the forest or desert environment. As a general term still in regular use, the Archaic Stage covers a series of local and regional traditions and the cultures they embrace.
On the west coast of North America the early, middle, and late phases within the Archaic are defined, each with numerous local variations, but extending down to modern times. In the Great Basin and western interior, the Archaic is usually divided into the early Desert Archaic, middle Archaic, and late Archaic, again extending in a continuous series down to modern times. In the southwest, a single Southwestern Archaic is recognized spanning the period c. 6000–100 bc , followed by a series of FORMATIVE STAGE traditions (e.g., ANASAZI , MOGOLLON , HOHOKAM ). In the eastern woodlands an early, middle, and late Archaic is recognized, followed by the Woodland Stage after about 1000 bc.
Back
Back -
New Search
archaeomagnetic dating [Ge].
A method of determining absolute dates for certain kinds of archaeological materials, particularly in-situ hearths, kilns, and furnaces. The method works because the materials used to construct these facilities contain fine particles of iron-rich elements such as haematite. When these materials are heated above about 650°C (the Curie point) all previous alignments in the magnetic particles are destroyed, and as the material cools the particles realign themselves on the Earth's natural magnetic field. Since the prevailing magnetic field moves over the course of time, local and regional sequences in the pattern of magnetic declination, dip, and intensity can be established and in-situ remains related to it to show when the last major episode of heating took place. The technique is very sensitive and can sometimes be used to show the time lapse between the inner and outer walls of a long-lived kiln or furnace. Compare PALEOMAGNETIC DATING .
Back -
New Search
archaeometry [De].
The application of techniques and procedures from the hard sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) and engineering to archaeological questions and problems.
Back -
New Search
archaeozoology [De].
A branch of archaeology focused around the recovery and analysis of animal remains in order to examine their physiology and ecology in relation to cultural activities and contribute to an understanding of animals in society. Major themes of investigation include animal domestication, exploitation and use patterns, butchery practices, and dietary contributions.
Back -
New Search
archaic [Ge].
1 In America, this term refers in a generic sense to a simple hunter-gatherer lifestyle involving small bands of people pursuing a pattern of seasonal movements linked to the migrations and periodic abundance of animal and plant foods.
2 Of ancient or early form. The term ‘archaic period’ is often used to describe the early phases in the development of a civilization.
Top
Back -
New Search
Archaic [CP].
The second of five general cultural stages proposed by G. Willey and P. Phillips in 1958 as a framework for the study of ancient communities in the Americas. The Archaic Stage (which in the original scheme succeeded the LITHIC ) embraced all the post-Pleistocene hunter-gatherer communities from the period after about 8000 bc. The Archaic Stage ends when sedentary agriculture becomes the main means of subsistence; its duration is therefore subject to considerable local variation.
The Archaic Stage is characterized by subsistence economies based on sedentary resources such as nuts, seeds, and shellfish, and a closer adjustment to the forest or desert environment. As a general term still in regular use, the Archaic Stage covers a series of local and regional traditions and the cultures they embrace.
On the west coast of North America the early, middle, and late phases within the Archaic are defined, each with numerous local variations, but extending down to modern times. In the Great Basin and western interior, the Archaic is usually divided into the early Desert Archaic, middle Archaic, and late Archaic, again extending in a continuous series down to modern times. In the southwest, a single Southwestern Archaic is recognized spanning the period c. 6000–100 bc , followed by a series of FORMATIVE STAGE traditions (e.g., ANASAZI , MOGOLLON , HOHOKAM ). In the eastern woodlands an early, middle, and late Archaic is recognized, followed by the Woodland Stage after about 1000 bc.
Back
Similar Books
