Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (535 page)

The systematic collection of soil samples from a defined study area (e.g. the floor of an ancient house, a field system, or a whole river valley) which are then analysed to determine their phosphate content. Phosphate levels can then be mapped either as absolute values or as deviations from the natural background level to identify significant concentrations. Because of fluctuations in the local background level throughout a region, and also variations within the soil profile, sampling deposits for phosphate studies has to be done with extreme care.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

The creation of scaled maps and plans based on features visible on one or more photographs of known scale and orientation. In some cases the photographs have to be rectified or adjusted to take account of distortions. The ideal is to use
STEREOSCOPIC PAIRS
of photographs.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

A photograph taken of anything that can be viewed under magnification through a microscope. Photomicrographs are usually taken with cameras fitted via an attachment to the normal eyepiece of the microscope or, more commonly, through attachment to a special facility in the image path through the instrument.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Originally living in Thrace, the early history of these communities is poorly understood, but they moved into west and central Turkey after the downfall of the
HITTITE
empire in the 12th century
bc
. The Phrygians established a short-lived empire under Midas , with a capital at Gordium, in the period
c.
750–680 bc. Religious and ceremonial centres comprising elaborately carved rock faces were established, while burials were placed under large round barrows. Many of the ceramic styles used were related to contemporary Greek pottery. The Phrygian empire was destroyed by the
CIMMERIAN
invasion at the end of the 8th century
bc
, though Phrygian traditions continued into classical times.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

An extensive Bronze Age settlement on the northern coast of the Cycladic island of Melos in the southern Aegean, Greece. The site has been excavated on several occasions since the late 19th century
ad
, most recently by Colin Renfrew in 1974–7. Three successive phases were represented: Phylakopi I–III, of early, middle, and late Cycladic date respectively. The first phase relates to the Grotta-Pelos culture, the first town being Phylokopi II built around 2000 bc, with a substantial perimeter wall. The town was destroyed in the 18th century
bc
, but was rebuilt and flourished again in its third phase down to the mid 14th century
bc
. The later phase had close ties with Minoan Crete and later with
MYCENAEAN
Greece. The administrative centre and cult centre have been identified. The shrines excavated in 1974–7 had a complicated history starting towards the end of the third city (about 1360 bc), and thus extending the life of the site as a cult centre. It is also notable that the shrines contained both male and female figurines.
[Rep.: C. Renfrew , 1985,
The archaeology of cult. The sanctuary at Phylakopi
. London: British School at Athens and Thames & Hudson]

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

The biological aspects of anthropology including the study of fossil human beings, genetics, primates, and blood groups.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search