Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (57 page)

 
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A more or less parallel-sided strip of ground whose sides are defined or marked by lines of upright stones or timber posts and/or low earthworks. Such features are found widely in different cultures at different times, often connected with the formal approaches to ceremonial monuments or buildings. In the later Neolithic of the British Isles a number are associated with approaches to
STONE CIRCLES
, as at
AVEBURY
and
STONEHENGE
.

 
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Roman writer of fables in elegiac verse of the late 4th century
ad
. His poem,
Ora Maritima
, contains borrowings from the
Massiliote Periplus
an account of a sea voyage from Massilia (Marseilles) along the western Mediterranean, thought to date back to the 6th century
bc
at the latest. It includes reference to the islands of Ierne and Albion, Ireland and Britain, whose inhabitants reputedly traded with the Oestrymnides of Brittany.

 
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A pear-shaped fruit with soft oily edible flesh (Persea americana). Native to Mexico. Domesticated from about 1800 bc.

 
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A hand-held bone, flint, or metal piercing tool with a strong sharp point used for making holes in such materials as leather, wood, or cloth.

 
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Stone or metal cutting tool mounted on a wooden or bone haft with the cutting edge parallel to the haft.

 
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A place where stone axeheads were manufactured from fine-grained rock during the Neolithic period in Europe. Axe factories include quarry sites where
ADITS
and pits follow bands of the desired rock into the ground, but in other cases exploited surface outcrops or detached boulders of suitable rock. Primary working involving the production of
ROUGH-OUTS
is usual, only a few sites having evidence for polishing and finishing. Very extensive axe factories are known at Great Langdale, England, Graig Llwyd, Wales, Tievebulliagh, Ireland, and Plussulien, Brittany.