Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (247 page)

BOOK: Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology
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face urn
[Ar].
A jar with a human face, usually in appliqué technique, formed on the shoulder. The function of these vessels was often funerary. There are also flagons with faces moulded on the neck.
facies
[Ge].
A part of a bigger unit or style that can be distinguished in some way on the basis of appearance or composition. Although the term was originally developed in the field of geology, it has increasing application in archaeology with reference to chronological or regional variants of bigger traditions or industries.
Faereyinga Saga
[Do].
Icelandic saga, written about ad 1200, which gives a traditional and highly personalized account of the 9th-century
ad
settlement of the Faroe Islands.
faience
[Ma].
Blue-coloured artificial glass-like material made from baked siliceous clay. Faience was used for the manufacture of a variety of ornaments and pieces of jewellery during prehistoric and later times. Beads of various shapes and sizes were used to form necklaces during the early Bronze Age in many parts of Europe. Faience was long believed to have been imported from the eastern Mediterranean, but there is now evidence to suggest that it was manufactured in Europe as well.
Fairmount Phase
[CP].
Chronological subdivision of the Mississippian of the Eastern Woodlands of North America, dating to around ad 900.
false colour infrared photography
[Te].
false portal
(false entrance)
[Co].
A kind of dummy doorway or blind entrance in the side of a structure, either for symbolic reasons, to achieve architectural balance, or to foil would-be robbers.

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