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(Terms in italics are defined elsewhere in the glossary)
absolute dating The determination of age with reference to a specific time scale, such as a fixed calendrical system; also referred to as chronometric dating. (Chapter 4)
achieved status 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 ) . (Chapter 5)
aerial reconnaissance An important survey technique in the discovery and recording of archaeological sites (see also reconnaissance survey ). (Chapter 3)
alleles Different sequences of genetic material occupying the same locus on the DNA molecule; alleles of the same gene differ by mutation at one or more locations within the same length of DNA. (Chapter 11)
alloying Technique involving the mixing of two or more metals to create a new material, e.g. the fusion of copper and tin to make bronze. (Chapter 8)
amino -acid racemization 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 . (Chapter 4)
annealing In copper and bronze metallurgy, this refers to the repeated process of heating and hammering the material to produce the desired shape. (Chapter 8)
anthropology The study of humanity - our physical characteristics as animals, and our unique non-biological characteristics we call culture . The subject is generally broken down into three subdisciplines: biological ( physical ) anthropology, cultural ( social ) anthropology , and archaeology . (Introduction)
archaeobotany See paleoethnobotany .
archaeological culture 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 ) . (Chapter 1)
archaeology A subdiscipline of anthropology involving the study of the human past through its material remains. (Introduction)
archaeology of cult The study of the material indications of patterned actions undertaken in response to religious beliefs. (Chapter 10)
archaeomagnetic dating 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 remanent magnetism in materials such as baked clay structures (ovens, kilns, and hearths). (Chapter 4)
archaeozoology 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. (Chapters 6 & 7)
artifact Any portable object used, modified, or made by humans; e.g. stone tools, pottery, and metal weapons. (Chapter 3)
ascribed status Social standing or prestige which is the result of inheritance or hereditary factors ( cf . achieved status ) . (Chapter 5)
assemblage A group of artifacts recurring together at a particular time and place, and representing the sum of human activities. (Chapter 3)
association The co-occurrence of an artifact with other archaeological remains, usually in the same matrix . (Chapter 2)
atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) 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 ofc .
1 percent. (Chapters 8 & 9)
attribute A minimal characteristic of an artifact such that it cannot be further subdivided; attributes commonly studied include aspects of form, style, decoration, color, and raw material. (Chapter 3)
attritional age profile 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 attritional 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. (Chapter 7)
augering A subsurface detection method using either a hand- or machine-powered drill to determine the depth and character of archaeological deposits. (Chapter 3)
Australopithecus A collective name for the earliest known hominids emerging about 5 million years ago in East Africa. (Chapter 4)
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