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(Terms in italics are defined elsewhere in the glossary)
radioactive decay The regular process by which radioactive isotopes break down into their decay products with a half-life which is specific to the isotope in question (see also radiocarbon dating ). (Chapter 4)
radiocarbon dating An absolute dating method that measures the decay of the radioactive isotope of carbon ( 14 C ) in organic material (see half-life ). (Chapter 4)
radioimmunoassay A method of protein analysis whereby it is possible to identify protein molecules surviving in fossils which are thousands and even millions of years old. (Chapter 11)
raised beaches These are remnants of former coastlines, usually the result of processes such as isostatic uplift or tectonic movements . (Chapter 6)
ranked societies Societies in which there is unequal access to prestige and status e.g. chiefdoms and states . (Chapter 5)
reaves Bronze Age stone boundary walls, e .g. on Dartmoor, England, which may designate the territorial extent of individual communities. (Chapter 6)
reciprocity A mode of exchange in which transactions take place between individuals who are symmetrically placed, i.e. they are exchanging as equals, neither being in a dominant position. (Chapter 9)
reconnaissance survey A broad range of techniques involved in the location of archaeological sites, e.g. the recording of surface artifacts and features, and the sampling of natural and mineral resources. (Chapter 3)
redistribution A mode of exchange which implies the operation of some central organizing authority. Goods are received or appropriated by the central authority, and subsequently some of them are sent by that authority to other locations. (Chapter 9)
refitting Sometimes referred to as conjoining, this entails attempting to put stone tools and flakes back together again, and provides important information on the processes involved in the knapper's craft. (Chapter 8)
refutationist view Approach which holds that science consists of theories about the empirical world, that its goal is to develop better theories, which is achieved by finding mistakes in existing theories, so that it is crucial that theories be falsifiable (vulnerable to error and open to testing). The approach, developed by Karl Popper, emphasizes the important of testability as a component of scientific theories. (Chapter 12)
relative dating The determination of chronological sequence without recourse to a fixed time scale; e.g. the arrangement of artifacts in a typological sequence, or seriation ( cf. absolute dating ) . (Chapter 4)
religion A framework of beliefs relating to supernatural or superhuman beings or forces that transcend the everyday material world. (Chapter 10)
remote sensing The imaging of phenomena from a distance, primarily through airborne and satellite imaging. "Groundbased remote sensing" links geophysical methods such as radar with remote sensing methods applied at ground level, such as thermography. (Chapter 3)
rescue archaeology See salvage archaeology .
research design Systematic planning of archaeological research, usually including (1) the formulation of a strategy to resolve a particular question; (2) the collection and recording of the evidence; (3) the processing and analysis of these data and their interpretation; and (4) the publication of results. (Chapter 3)
resistivity meter See soil resistivity .
rock varnishes Natural accretions of manganese and iron oxides, together with clay minerals and organic matter, which can provide valuable environmental evidence. Their study, when combined with radiocarbon methods, can provide a minimum age for some landforms, and even some types of stone tool which also accumulate varnish.
(Chapters 4 & 6)
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