Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (77 page)
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Authors: Timothy Darvill
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bema
[Co].
[Co].
The rostrum for public speaking commonly found in a Greek agora.
benatura
[Co].
[Co].
A stoup or basin for holy water.
benchmark
[Ge].
[Ge].
1
A surveyor's mark cut in a wall, pillar, building, or similar position which is used as a reference point for the calculation of altitudes and heights. In Britain the Ordnance Survey established a series of benchmarks in prominent positions that were linked to its published mapping, although sadly these are no longer maintained. Most archaeological excavations have a
temporary benchmark
(
TBM
) on site, either with a notional value (e.g., zero) or an estimated height transferred from a fixed point.
2
A published statement about the content, delivery, and assessment of academic subjects taught in British universities; the Benchmark Statement on Archaeology was published by the Quality Assurance Agency in March 2000.
A surveyor's mark cut in a wall, pillar, building, or similar position which is used as a reference point for the calculation of altitudes and heights. In Britain the Ordnance Survey established a series of benchmarks in prominent positions that were linked to its published mapping, although sadly these are no longer maintained. Most archaeological excavations have a
temporary benchmark
(
TBM
) on site, either with a notional value (e.g., zero) or an estimated height transferred from a fixed point.
2
A published statement about the content, delivery, and assessment of academic subjects taught in British universities; the Benchmark Statement on Archaeology was published by the Quality Assurance Agency in March 2000.
Benedictine
[De].
[De].
Refers to a monastic order of monks founded by St Benedict, the first in western Europe. Introduced into England by St Augustine in ad 597. Monks took vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity and wore a black habit. Each Benedictine monastery was a self-sufficient community. See
MONASTERY
.
MONASTERY
.
Benin
[GE].
[GE].
A kingdom in southern Nigeria famous for bronze casting. Using the
CIRE PERDUE
technique, metalworkers cast human heads and relief plaques in a long series which stylistic analyses suggest lasted perhaps from the 15th to the 19th century
ad
.
CIRE PERDUE
technique, metalworkers cast human heads and relief plaques in a long series which stylistic analyses suggest lasted perhaps from the 15th to the 19th century
ad
.
Bennet , Crystal
(1918–87)
[Bi].
(1918–87)
[Bi].
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