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taphonomy study of processes that affect organic materials after deposition
taxon (pl. taxa) unit of zoological classification, such as genus, species, family
tektite small, glassy objects that result from an ancient asteroid impact; can be dated by potassium-argon and fission-track dating methods
tell artificial mound characteristic of Southwest Asian settlement sites, created by the accumulation of centuries of disintegrated mud-brick walls and domestic debris
temper material added to clay to improve the firing qualities of pottery, preventing excessive shrinking and cracking
teosinte wild maize, from which the domesticated species evolved
tephra volcanic ash
terra firma in South America a Portuguese term referring to the Amazonian uplands, away from the rivers
terra preta in South America a Portuguese term ("black earth") referring to occupation-related (settlement) sediments; also includes ancient cultivation areas that lack artifacts
thalassocracy system of government based on sea-borne power; literally, "rule by sea"
thermoluminescence dating see luminescence dating
tholos tomb (pl. tholoi) Greek circular tomb with a domed or conical roof, also called a beehive tomb
Three Age System classification system for the sequence of technological periods (Stone, Bronze, Iron) in Old World prehistory
tibia (pl. tibiae) shin bone
tophet in ancient Carthaginian religion, a sacred enclosure in which child sacrifices took place
transhumance seasonal movement of human groups with their livestock, such as sheep, between mountain and lowland pastures
tribe group of a few hundred to a few thousand individuals, commonly settled farmers or pastoralist herders, usually descended from a common ancestor; loosely organized without central control or strongly developed hierarchy
triglyph a tripartite grooved element that alternated with the metope to form a frieze that decorated buildings of the Greek Doric order
tumulus (pl. tumuli) earthen or stone mound, usually covering a burial or burials
tuff deposit made of compacted volcanic ash
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