Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (142 page)

A form of intensive agriculture widely used in the Basin of Mexico during the early 1st millennium
ad
, often referred to as ‘floating gardens’. Chinampa were constructed by cultivating large mats of floating plants in deep water and them moving them to where cultivation plots were required on mud flats and swampy areas where several were stacked one on another to create a thick foundation layer. Canals were dug around three or four sides to facilitate drainage and provide mud and silt which was then spread on top of the mats. Waste from nearby settlements was added to the raised beds to give additional fertility. Each chinampa was about 10m by 110m and they were usually constructed on a regular grid pattern. Chinampas were used to grow staple root, vegetable, grain, and fruit crops and were kept in production all year round. It has been reported that, in ad 1519, 10000ha of chinampa supported about 100000 people.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Small bifacially worked stone teardrop-shaped projectile points typical of the period 12000–10000 bc in central Alaska where they characterize the Nenana Complex.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

The first imperial dynasty ruling all China, named after the kingdom of Ch'in from which it derived. Its duration was brief, 221–206 bc, but the achievement of a united empire became the objective of all subsequent regimes.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

A workshop area used for the manufacture or maintenance of flint or stone tools, recognized archaeologically by a spread of working waste, broken or part-made implements, and discarded raw material.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Emblem composed of Greek letters chi (
), and rho (
), the first two letters of Christ's name in that language. Common in early Christian art and epigraphy.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search