Social standing and prestige reflecting the ability of an individual to acquire an established position in society as a result of individual accomplishments (cf. ascribed status).
Changes in gene frequencies resulting from selective pressures being placed upon a population by environmental factors; results in a greater fitness of the population to its ecological niche. The process of change to better conform with environmental conditions or other external stimuli. The process of change to better conform with environmental conditions or other external stimuli.
The major cultural group of the Woodland period. The had cultural influences in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The are regarded in modern times as being accomplished craftsmen.
A ground and polished stone artifact characterized by a generally rectangular shape with a beveled cutting edge on one end. Used as a woodworking tool.
Photosynthetic, almost exclusively aquatic, nonvascular plants that range in size from simple unicellular forms to giant kelps several feet long. They have extremely varied life cycles and first appeared in the Precambrian.
A cone-shaped deposit of sediments generally formed where a mountain stream discharges onto a level surface. Alluvial fan deposits are among the most common surficial sediments in mountainous terrain.
Sediment (mud, sand, and gravel) laid down by flowing water. The largest particles (sand and gravel) tend to accumulate within the channel itself. Particles of clay, silt, and fine sand are small enough to be suspended in flowing water. When the stream overflows its banks, these particles can be distributed across the valley floor. These overbank or flood deposits are the most common contexts in which buried archaeological sites are found. Stream valley floors are underlain by deposits of and o
A method used in the dating of both human and animal bone. Its special significance is that with a small sample (10g) it can be applied to material up to 100,000 years old, i.e. beyond the time range of radiocarbon dating.
Any non-artifactual materials collected by archaeologists to aid in dating, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, or other interpretations - e.g. carbon samples, soil samples, palynological samples etc.
The study of humanity - our physical characteristics as animals, and our unique non-biological characteristics we call culture. The scientific and humanistic study of man's present and past biological, linguistic, social, and cultural variations. The subject is generally broken down into three subdisciplines biological (physical) , cultural (social) , archaeology, and anthropological linguistics. The scientific and humanistic study of man's present and past biological, linguistic, social, and c
The middle era of Precambrian time, spanning the period between 3.8 and 2.5 billion years ago. Life arose on Earth during the early Archaean, as indicated by the appearance of fossil bacteria in rocks thought to be about 3.5 billion years old. Its name means "ancient."
A constantly recurring assemblage of artifacts assumed to be representative of a particular set of behavioral activities carried out at a particular time and place (cf. culture).
Anyone with an interest in the aims and methods of archaeology. A professional usually holds a degree in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology and is trained to collect archaeological information in a "proper" scientific way.
The scientific study of the physical evidence of past human societies recovered through collection, artifact analysis, and excavation. Archaeologists not only attempt to discover and describe past cultures but also to formulate explanations for the development of cultures. Conclusions drawn from study and analyses provide answers and predictions about human behavior that add, complement, and sometimes correct the written accounts of history and prehistory. (also sometimes spelled Archeology) Th
Sometimes referred to as paleomagnetic dating. it is based on the fact that changes in the earth's magnetic field over time can be recorded as remnant magnetism in materials such as baked clay structure (ovens, kilns, and hearths).
Sometimes referred to as zooarchaeology, this involves the identification and analysis of faunal species from archaeological sites, as an aid to the reconstruction of human diets and to an understanding of the contemporary environment at the time of deposition.
A time frame in North American pre-history spanning 7,000 years between 10,000 B.P. to 3000 B.P. after Paleo and before Woodland times. The 7,000 years is further defined as Early, Middle and Late which are also defined elsewhere in this glossary.
A weapon point or tip made of stone, bone, metal or other material which in general is less than 2 1/2 inches in length (63 mm) and attributed no earlier than the Woodland phase of North American Aborigine prehistory. Larger points are regarded as spear points or knife blades and are associated with spear and dart atlatl or hand thrown delivery systems or hafted cutting.
Any manually portable product of human workmanship (see feature). In its broadest sense includes tools, weapons, ceremonial items, art objects, all industrial waste, and all floral and faunal remains modified by human activity. Common examples include tools, utensils, art, food remains, and other products of human activity. An old, authentic object used, crafted or manufactured by the application of human workmanship or activity, especially one of prehistoric origin that may have archaeological
A group of artifacts recurring together at a particular time and place, and representing the sum of human activities. A group of artifacts which represent a culture. A group of artifacts related to each other based upon some recovery from a common archaeological context. Assemblage examples are artifacts from a site or feature.
A bone or wood shaft implement, held in one hand, and used to propel a spear. The tool functions as a lever, giving greater thrust and distance to the spear or dart being thrown The Aztec word for a spear throwing stick device. This projectile propulsion device preceded the bow and arrow. In general, a wooden or bone stick or board with a hand grip at one end and a spur or hook at the other end. The is used as an extension of the arm in throwing a spear or dart. The spear shaft is socketed and
Usually a ground and polished stone object with grooves or perforations - for attachment to the shaft of an atlatl. Presumed to function in balancing the weapon prior to throwing. A drilled or grooved stone or shell that was used to weight the atlatl. See Atlatl.
A method of analyzing artifact composition similar to optical emission spectrometry (OES) in that it measures energy in the form of visible light waves. It is capable of measuring up to 40 different elements with an accuracy of c. 1 percent.
A minimal characteristic of an artifact such that it cannot be further subdivided; s commonly studied include aspects of form, style, decoration, color, and raw material. a characteristic or property of an object, such as weight, size, or color.
A mortality pattern based on bone or tooth wear which is characterized by an overrepresentation of young and old animals in relation to their numbers in live populations. It suggests either scavenging of mortality victims (i.e. those dying from natural causes or from non-human predation) or the hunting by humans or other predators of the most vulnerable individuals.
