General archaeology

General archaeology

Terms and definitions of archaeology -- the study of human society through the analysis of artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes.

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General archaeology

Thin-section analysis

Archaeology; General archaeology

A technique whereby microscopic thin sections are cut from a stone object or potsherd and examined with a petrological microscope to determine the source of the material.

Prehistory

Archaeology; General archaeology

The period of human history before the advent of writing.

Mesolithic

Archaeology; General archaeology

An Old World chronological period beginning around 10,000 years ago, situated between the palaeolithic and the Neolithic, and associated with the rise to dominance of microliths.

Composite tool

Archaeology; General archaeology

A tool formed of two or more joined parts, e.g. "composite toggling harpoon head".

A relative dating technique based on the chronological ordering of a group of artefacts or assemblages, where the most similar are placed adjacent to each other in the series. Two types of seriation ...