Archaeology Dictionary

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Antiquarians

Antiquarians, the curious minds of bygone eras, were individuals fascinated by the artifacts and relics of past civilizations, often collecting and...

Archaeozoology

Archaeozoology, also known as zooarchaeology, is the scientific study of animal remains, primarily bones, from archaeological sites. By analyzing...

Acropolis

An acropolis, derived from the Greek words 'akron' meaning 'highest point' and 'polis' meaning 'city,' is a fortified citadel typically situated on a...

Association

Association, in the context of archaeology, refers to the spatial relationship between artifacts within a specific archaeological context. This...

Absolute Dating

Absolute dating is a crucial technique in archaeology that allows researchers to assign specific dates or date ranges, in calendar years, to...

Aerial Photography

Aerial photography has revolutionized the field of archaeology by providing a unique bird's-eye view of landscapes and archaeological sites. This...

Archaic

The term 'archaic' in archaeology often refers to an early period in a culture's history, characterized by distinct technological, social, and...

Archaeology

Archaeology, the scientific exploration of the human past, involves the excavation and analysis of material remains to reconstruct the history,...

Aristocracy

An aristocracy, a system of government dominated by a privileged class of nobility, has historically shaped the course of many civilizations,...

Alidade

An alidade is a surveying instrument used to measure angles and distances, historically employed to create detailed topographic maps and top...

A.D.

Anno Domini (A.D.) is a Latin phrase meaning 'in the year of our Lord.' It's used to denote years after the traditionally recognized year of Jesus...

AMS

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is a sophisticated technique that enables precise radiocarbon dating, providing archaeologists with a powerful...

Alloy

Alloy, a combination of two or more elements, primarily metals, is a material that often surpasses the properties of its constituent elements,...

Aerial Reconnaissance

Aerial reconnaissance is a vital technique in archaeological research, involving the systematic observation of landscapes from the air to identify...

Amphora

The amphora, a distinctive two-handled pottery jar with a narrow neck, is a ubiquitous artifact in the archaeological record of ancient Greece and...

Alluvial Deposit

Alluvial deposits, formed by the accumulation of sediment carried by flowing water, have played a crucial role in shaping landscapes and supporting...

Anthropology

Anthropology, the comprehensive study of humankind, delves into the intricate tapestry of human existence, encompassing our biological evolution,...

Archaeoastronomy

Archaeoastronomy, a fascinating interdisciplinary field, explores the celestial knowledge and practices of ancient civilizations, revealing the...

Artifact

An artifact, a tangible object shaped by human hands, serves as a tangible link to the past, offering valuable insights into the lives, cultures, and...

Acheulean

The Acheulean is a significant chapter in the story of human technological evolution, spanning a vast period from approximately 1.6 million to...

Assemblage

An assemblage, a collection of artifacts found together in a specific archaeological context, provides a snapshot of past human activity, offering...

Agora

The agora, a vibrant heart of ancient Greek cities, was a public space that served as a marketplace, political forum, religious center, and social...

Anthro

Anthro, a shortened form of 'anthropology,' refers to anything related to humans, encompassing their physical and cultural development, as well as...

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age, a significant period in human history, is characterized by the widespread use of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, for creating...

Back Dirt

Back dirt, the excavated material removed from an archaeological site, is typically discarded after being sifted for artifacts. This material,...

Balk

A balk, a vertical wall of earth left standing between excavation units, is a crucial tool in archaeological excavation, serving to maintain...

B.P.

B.P., an abbreviation for 'Before Present,' is a chronological system used to denote time periods prior to a specific reference point, typically...

B.C.E.

B.C.E., an abbreviation for 'Before Common Era,' is a secular system of chronological notation used to designate years prior to the beginning of the...

Benchmark

A benchmark, a fixed point of known elevation, serves as a reference point for measuring vertical distances during archaeological excavations. By...

Boat Graves

Boat graves, a unique type of burial practice, involve placing a body or cremated remains within a boat and then interring the vessel in the...

B.C.

B.C., an abbreviation for 'Before Christ,' is a chronological system used to designate years prior to the traditionally recognized birth year of...

Biface Tools

Biface tools, characterized by their distinctive shape and the deliberate flaking on both sides, represent a significant advancement in early human...

Bulbar Depression

A bulbar depression, a distinctive mark left on a core after a flake has been removed, provides valuable insights into the techniques and skills...

Cache

A cache, a deliberate stash of objects buried for safekeeping, offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, providing valuable insights into the...

Conchoidal

Conchoidal fracture is a distinctive characteristic of certain types of stone, such as flint, chert, and obsidian. When these materials are struck...

Coprolites

Coprolites, fossilized feces, offer a unique window into the past, providing valuable insights into the diet, health, and behavior of ancient...

Carbon Dating

Carbon dating, a powerful technique in archaeology, allows scientists to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14,...

Chipped Stone Tools

Chipped stone tools, crafted through the deliberate removal of flakes from a core, represent a significant milestone in human technological...

Cardinal Directions

Cardinal directions, the fundamental orientations of North, South, East, and West, have been essential for human navigation and understanding of...

Collectors

Collectors, individuals who acquire archaeological artifacts for personal collections, play a complex role in the preservation and understanding of...

Canopic Jar

Canopic jars, iconic artifacts of ancient Egyptian funerary practices, were used to store the internal organs of mummified individuals, ensuring...

Colonial Archaeology

Colonial archaeology, a specialized field within historical archaeology, focuses on the material culture and historical processes associated with...

Conservation

Conservation archaeology, a vital aspect of archaeological practice, focuses on the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. By employing...

C.E.

C.E., an abbreviation for 'Common Era,' is a secular system of chronological notation used to designate years following the beginning of the Common...

Core

A core, a fundamental element in lithic technology, is a piece of stone from which flakes are removed to create tools. By understanding the...

Clan

A clan, a social group composed of individuals who claim common ancestry, has been a fundamental unit of social organization in many cultures...

Classical Archaeology

Classical Archaeology, a specialized field within archaeology, focuses on the study of the material culture and history of the Classical Age, a...

Cuneiform

Cuneiform, one of the earliest writing systems known to humans, emerged in ancient Mesopotamia around 5,000 years ago. This ingenious system...

Classical Period

The Classical Period in ancient Greece, spanning the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, represents a pinnacle of human achievement in art, architecture,...

Corinthian Column

The Corinthian column, a magnificent architectural element, is renowned for its ornate and elegant design. As one of the three principal orders of...

Cultural Resource Management

Cultural Resource Management (CRM) is a specialized field that focuses on the identification, evaluation, and protection of cultural resources,...

Clovis Point

Clovis points, distinctive stone tools characterized by their fluted design, are a hallmark of the Clovis culture, a prehistoric culture that...

Chert

Chert, a durable and versatile sedimentary rock, has been a prized material for toolmaking throughout human history. Its fine-grained structure and...

Classic Period

The Classic Period, a significant era in the history of Mesoamerica and the Andean region, marked a period of remarkable cultural, political, and...

Ceramics

Ceramics, objects crafted from clay and hardened through firing, have been an integral part of human history, providing essential tools, vessels, and...

Context

Context, the spatial and temporal relationship of an artifact or feature within an archaeological site, is a fundamental concept in archaeological...

Citadel

A citadel, a fortified stronghold within or near a city, has historically served as a symbol of power, defense, and prestige. These imposing...

City-State

A city-state, a self-governing city that exercises political control over its surrounding territory, has been a significant form of political...

Column

A column, an upright pillar with a base and a capital, is a fundamental architectural element that has been used for centuries to support structures...

Culture

Culture, the intricate web of shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors, shapes human societies and influences the material world we...

Contract Archaeology

Contract archaeology, a specialized field within archaeology, involves conducting archaeological research and excavation under contractual agreements...

Classical Age

The Classical Age, a period of remarkable cultural, philosophical, and artistic achievement, encompasses the flourishing of Greek and Roman...

Cortex

Cortex, in archaeological terms, refers to the outer layer of a stone tool or core. It's the original, natural surface of the stone before it has...

Dendrochronology

Dendrochronology is an absolute dating technique that determines the age of wood by analyzing the unique patterns of tree rings formed...

Doric Column

A Doric column is a type of classical Greek column known for its simple, robust design, characterized by a tapering shaft, fluted grooves, a plain...

Debitage

Debitage refers to the small fragments of stone that are left behind as waste during the creation of stone tools, offering essential insights into...

Diffusion

Diffusion in archaeology refers to the spread of ideas, technologies, or materials from one culture or area to another, shaping the development of...

Datum Point

A datum point, a fixed reference point with a known elevation, is essential for precise measurements and mapping in archaeological excavations. By...

Experimental Archaeology

Experimental archaeology is a branch of archaeology that investigates ancient technologies and practices by recreating them. This approach...

Egyptology

Egyptology is a specialized branch of archaeology focused on the study of ancient Egyptian civilization. It explores Egypt’s history, culture,...

Ethnography

Ethnography is a branch of anthropology focused on studying and describing contemporary human cultures through close observation and...

Epigrapher

An epigrapher is a specialist who studies ancient inscriptions to interpret the writings, languages, and symbols used by past civilizations. Their...

Excavation

Excavation is the process of carefully digging and recording archaeological sites to uncover and document artifacts, features, and other cultural...

Electrical Resistivity

Electrical resistivity is a remote sensing technique used in archaeology to detect underground features by measuring variations in electrical flow...

Ecofacts

Ecofacts are naturally occurring materials found at archaeological sites that hold cultural significance, even though they were not created or...

Fabric

In archaeology, 'fabric' refers to the specific composition and characteristics of the clay used to create ceramic artifacts, including pots,...

Feminist Archaeology

Feminist archaeology is a branch of archaeology that aims to uncover and analyze the social roles and contributions of women in past...

Formation Pprocess

Formation processes refer to the human-caused or natural changes that modify an archaeological site during and after its occupation. These...

Flint

Flint is a hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock extensively used by early humans to craft a variety of stone tools, including spear points, knives,...

Field Notes

Field notes are detailed, written records made by archaeologists during ongoing research and excavations. These notes capture observations,...

Flake

In archaeology, a 'flake' refers to a piece of stone that has been struck from a larger core, either for use as a tool or as waste material known as...

Flexed Burial

A flexed burial refers to a burial practice where the deceased is placed in a fetal position, curled on its side with arms and legs drawn close to...

Feature

In archaeology, a 'feature' is any permanent structure or physical alteration in the landscape made or modified by humans, essential for...

Flotation

Flotation is an archaeological technique that involves soaking excavated soil or dirt in water to separate and retrieve small ecofacts and artifacts...

Ground-Penetrating Radar

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an instrument used to detect subsurface anomalies, such as archaeological features, by recording the differential...

Grid

A grid is a network of squares used to divide a site or excavation area into manageable units for systematic digging and recording. This method...

Ground Reconnaissance

Ground reconnaissance is the process of searching for archaeological sites through visual inspection of the surface while physically on the...

Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a tool that determines the location of archaeological features by using data from satellites orbiting the...

Grave Goods

Grave goods are objects placed within human burials to accompany the deceased, often intended to equip them for the afterlife or to mark their...

Glaze

A glaze is a special slip applied to pottery that, when fired, creates an impermeable, glossy surface. This technique is used to enhance the...

Geoarchaeology

Geoarchaeology is the branch of archaeology that applies the methods and concepts of earth sciences to understand archaeological sites. This...

GIS

GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, refers to software tools that help archaeologists organize, analyze, and display geographic and locational...

Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic period refers to the era between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E. and the rise of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C.E., marked...

Hominid

The term 'hominid' was once used to describe early humans, but its meaning has evolved over time. Today, it refers to the entire family of great apes...

Hunter-Gatherers

Hunter-gatherers are communities that sustain themselves primarily through hunting wild animals and gathering plants from their environment. These...

Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs are an ancient writing system made up of pictographic or ideographic symbols used to represent words, sounds, or ideas. This system...

Historical Archaeology

Historical archaeology is a discipline focused on using archaeological methods to supplement written history and create a more comprehensive...

Half-Life

Half-life is the time required for half of a radioactive isotope to decay and transform into a stable element. This predictable decay rate is a...

Harris Matrix

The Harris Matrix is a tool developed by Dr. Edward C. Harris in 1973 to simplify the representation and interpretation of stratigraphy at...

Hypostyle

Hypostyle refers to a type of architectural design where a roof or ceiling is supported by rows of columns. This design was commonly used in ancient...

Household Archaeology

Household archaeology is a branch of archaeology that focuses on studying the material culture and daily activities associated with ancient...

Hominin

Hominin refers to early human or pre-human species, characterized primarily by bipedalism, which sets them apart from other primates. Today, the...

Ideogram

An ideogram is a pictorial symbol used to represent a concept or idea rather than a specific word or sound. This form of writing is used in...

Iconography

Iconography refers to the use of symbolic pictures, images, or figures to represent a subject, theme, or concept. This system of visual...

In Situ

'In situ' refers to an object or feature that is found in its original or natural position, undisturbed from its original context. This term is...

Inorganic

Inorganic refers to materials composed of substances that are not derived from living organisms or once-living matter. These materials are typically...

Iron Age

The Iron Age is the prehistoric period that succeeded the Bronze Age, marked by the widespread use of iron tools and weapons. This era saw a...

Ionic Column

An Ionic column is a type of classical column characterized by its decorative capital, which features spiral coils on each side. This style is...

Jebel

Jebel is an Arabic term that translates to 'mountain' or 'hill' and is commonly used in archaeological site names, particularly across the Middle...

Jet

Jet is a type of black, lustrous coal that has been used throughout history to create jewelry and decorative objects. Known for its deep black color...

Knapping

Knapping is the technique of making stone tools by striking flakes from a core using a hard or soft percussion tool. This process, also known as...