Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (677 page)

Studies of the way that finds or sites are geographically distributed either in relation to each other or to other features such as terrain. The aim of spatial analysis is to recognize and understand patterns and regularities, and this can be achieved using a variety of statistical and mathematical approaches such as
NEAREST-NEIGHBOUR ANALYSIS
or
THIESSIAN POLYGONS
.

 
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An assumed close relationship between two or more archaeological items (objects or structural elements) because of their physical proximity and/or location relative to other more securely relatable items. Thus, for example, a pit situated in the centre of a ring ditch can be said to be spatially associated with it even though there is no physical connection.

 
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A bone or stone tool comprising a broad thin blade. The use of such items can rarely be specified, but they seem to have been used for burnishing pottery and in leatherworking.

 
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Spaulding , Albert Clinton
(1914–1990)
[Bi].

A graduate of the universities of Montana and Michigan in 1935 and 1937 respectively, Spaulding had a long career in academic archaeology at a number of institutions, latterly at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was Dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1967 to 1971. He is remembered for his contributions to the development of quantitative methods in archaeology and his advocacy of methodological rigour and processual archaeology.
[Obit.:
American Antiquity
57, 197–201]

 
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A pointed and sharp thrusting blade for mounting on the end of a long shaft for use as a weapon in hunting or warfare. Early examples in flint are usually leaf-shaped and seemingly mounted in a cleft in the spear shaft. Later examples in metal often have a socket cast into the blade so that the spear shaft can be firmly attached.

 
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A device that increases the power with which a spear can be hurled. Most consist of a stick or narrow board with a grip at one end and a hook or attachment to hold the butt of the spear shaft at the other. The spear-thrower thus becomes an artificial extension of the thrower's arm, giving extra leverage and range.

 
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