Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (70 page)

A series of rock-shelters containing stratified occupation over a long period. The earlier evidence of settlement takes the form of intermittent usage by hunter-gatherer groups over the period 8000–800 bc.
Between 800 bc and 250 bc more regular usage occurred, and the occupants constructed large pits and hearths. The pits contained maize and squash and thus represent some of the earliest evidence for the cultivation of these crops in North America.
[Rep.: H. W. Dick , 1952, Evidence of early man in Bat cave and on the Plains of San Augustin, New Mexico. In S. Tax (ed.), 1952,
Indian tribes of aboriginal America
. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 158–63]

 
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Bateman , Thomas
(1821–61)
[Bi].

British antiquarian well known for his exploits in excavating barrows in the Peak District of central England. Born in Rowsley, Derbyshire, Bateman began his antiquarian work at the age of three when he accompanied his father, William Bateman (1787–1835), on the excavation of a barrow. Both Thomas's parents died when he was young and he was brought up by his stern but wealthy grandfather. He began excavating barrows on his own account in, working assiduously over a period of about a decade. It seems that Bateman 1843 was a colourful character and throughout his early life carried on an affair with a young married woman, Mary Mason , setting up house with her in 1844. Things came to a head with the death of his grandfather in 1847 and the prospect of being disinherited. Thomas saved himself by marrying his housekeeper, Sarah Parker , after which he reverted to a life of unblemished respectability. In 1848 he published the results of his excavations as
Vestiges of the antiquities of Derbyshire
(London: J. R. Smith ). At this time he employed various excavators to work for him in order to speed the flow of antiquities to his blossoming museum. Two weeks before his death at the young age of 39 he published
Ten years' diggings
(1861, London: J. R. Smith ). He was buried at Middleton-by-Youlgrave in an impressive tomb, still visible today, with a stone replica of a Bronze Age urn on top.
[Bio.: B. M. Marsden , 1984,
Pioneers of prehistory
. Ormskirk: Hesketh, 53–6]

 
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A feature of all Roman towns and cities as well as private houses throughout the empire. From the 1st century
bc
onwards, the tradition of bathing became a major social institution. See
THERMAE
.

 
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An implement made from antler with a cylindrical hole at one end. Often decorated, and dating from the
AURIGNACIAN
through to the Upper
MAGDALENIAN
. Interpretations vary from the symbolic to it being a spear-thrower or arrow-straightener. Also referred to as a
bâton percé
.

 
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The slope back from vertical given to a ditch side or trench face in order to increase its stability. The most effective batter would be the natural angle of rest of the material through which the cutting was made.

 
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1
Type of perforated stone implement dating to the later Neolithic and early Bronze Age in southern, eastern, and northern Europe with a solid body, centrally placed shaft-hole, slightly concave outline when viewed in profile, and expanded blades and butts. Some have a blade at both ends. There is great variety in form: Fiona Roe recognized nine main types in Britain alone, and taking Europe as a whole they were made and used over a very long period from the mid 3rd millennium through to the mid 2nd millennium
bc
. The name was rather fancifully applied to these implements by 19th-century antiquaries; there is no evidence that they were ever used in war. See also
AXE-HAMMER
.
2
Type of copper, bronze, or gold implement with a centrally placed shaft-hole, believed to be of ceremonial function and probably derived from the earlier stone versions.
3
Iron weapon used by
VIKING
warriors in the later 1st millennium
ad
and remaining a popular weapon through into the Middle Ages in Europe.