DelDOT's Cultural Resources -
Archaeology/Historic Preservation
Cultural Resources Glossary
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z References ABMC (American Battle Monuments Commission) - "A federal agency established by Congress to commemorate the service and achievements of U.S. armed forces where they have served overseas since 1917, and within the U.S. when directed by public law. The commission is responsible for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining permanent American cemeteries in foreign countries, establishing and maintaining U.S. military memorials, monuments and markers where American armed forces have served overseas since April 6, 1917, and within the U.S. when directed by public law. Also, the commission is responsible for controlling the design and construction of permanent U.S. military monuments and markers by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, and encouraging their maintenance." (http://www.abmc.gov/home.php 2009) Aboriginal - Prehistoric peoples in North America. Abrader - Cobble tool used to smooth and shape stone tool edges during the manufacturing process. 2 A rock that shows evidence of being used for the shaping of wood and bone implements. ACHP (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation) - "An independent federal agency established in 1966 that promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of our nation's historic resources, and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy" (http://www.achp.gov/aboutachp.html 2009) Activity/Function Area - A section of an archaeological site where a definable activity took place, like a butchering, nut processing, or tool refurbishing area; characterized by specific tools and other artifacts resultant from the activity. Adaptation - Cultural and physical adjustments made by individuals and groups to new environmental settings. Adamesque - This refers to the style of the eighteenth century British architect Robert Adam (1728-92). Admidships - Halfway between the bow and the stern of a vessel. Adze - An axe-like tool with a blade at right angles to the handle. Aeolian - Wind blown / deposited sediments. Ex. sandunes. Agrarian - Relating to or concerning the land and its ownership, cultivation, and tenure. A-Horizon - The top layer of soil, consisting of organic humus, characterized by the downward movement of water; also called zone of leaching. Albany Slip - Dark brown slip found on the interior of jugs, crocks, or pans of American manufacture. First made in Albany, New York, in the early nineteenth century. Alluvial - Refers to deposits (alluvium) of fine rock material transported by and found along the floodplain of a stream. Alluvium - Deposits of gravel, sand, and soil which are transported by flowing water. Ex.Sediments that accumulate on flood plains as a result of overbank floods. Alveolus - The portion of the maxilla or mandible into which the teeth fit. Amaranth - One of the annuals in the genus Amaranthus, it was cultivated for food and for its showy red and green flower clusters. American Stoneware - Highly fired ceramic with a gray, vitrified body, often salt-glazed and painted with a cobalt blue decoration. Though first produced in the early 18th century, it was popular as a utilitarian ware after the turn of the nineteenth century. Anadromous Fish - Schooling fish that migrate in large numbers into freshwater streams from the ocean during spawning periods, often in the spring or fall. Ex. salmon, shad, or sturgeon. Andesite - Fine grained, often porphyritic, volcanic rock that is similar to rhyolite, but contains less silica. Annular Decoration - Concentric bands of colored slip applied by lathe to ceramics before glazing, popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Anomaly - (See Magnetic Anomaly). Antemortem - Occurring before death. Anvil - Relatively flat stone, often pitted, used to support the core in bipolar stone tool manufacture. The anvil surface alternately may have served in the processing of foods such as nuts. Ap-B-C Profile - A standard coding sequence for soil development. The Ap horizon is the plow zone; the B horizon is a zone leached by ground water; and the C horizon is the parent material on which the soil has developed. Apothecary - One who prepares and sells drugs and medicines; pharmacist. Arch - A form of construction, usually of masonry, whereby the downward thrust of wall massing over an opening is carried laterally to abutments or vertical supports. Often further described by its outline. Archaeology - Study of past cultures through the systematic excavation and analysis of material remains. Archeological Resource - Any material remains of past human life or activity greater than 100 years old which are of archeological interest as defined by Section 4(a) of the Archeological Resources Protection Act and 43 CFR Part 7.3. Architecture - When used in the context of database systems, architecture refers to the overall structure of the database, and how it organizes information. Architrave - The lowest member of a classical entablature. A molded lintel spanning between two columns. Ex. he molded frame surrounding a door or window. Archival Research - Research done at places in which public or historical records, charters and documents are stored and preserved. Argillite - Mildly metamorphosed siliceous rock composed of compact clay or silt-sized particles. Harder than claystone but softer than shale, used by aboriginal peoples for making stone tools. Argillite weathers easily, leaving a softened clay-like rind on artifact surfaces, found in great quantity in the Delaware Valley north of Trenton, New Jersey. Argillic - Literally clay-like; refers to clay-like soil horizons. Argillic Horizon - A B soil horizon in which argillite minerals have accumulated due to illuviation. ARS (USDA Agricultural Research Service) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) chief scientific research agency, and is one of four agencies in the USDA's Research, Education, and Economics mission area. "ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to ensure high-quality safe agricultural products, assess the nutritional needs of Americans, sustain a competitive agricultural economy, enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole." (http://www.ars.usda.gov/AboutUs/AboutUs.htm 2009) Arthritis (Osteoarthritis) - Degenerative joint disease; remodeled changes in the skeleton which most frequently come about as the result of destruction of weight-bearing joints. Artifact - Any object shaped or modified by man, or as a result of human activity. Ex. fragments of broken pottery, stone tools. Assemblage - A collection or group of objects (e.g., stone tools) that are related in time and space within an archaeological site. Contemporary assemblages maybe similar from one site to another. Astragal Molding - A bead molding decorated with a string of beads or bead and reel shapes. Atlatl - A throwing board or spearthrower, used in both the Old and New Worlds. The atlatl functions like an extension of the arm, providing more thrusting leverage. 2 A wood or bone throwing stick used to propel spears with more force than by the arm alone. Attribute - A discrete characteristic of an object. Attrition - Occlusal tooth wear. Auger - A large tool for boring holes deep in the ground. Automatic Machine-Made Glass - Mechanical technique of glass manufacture introduced in the early twentieth century. Axis - An imaginary line to which are referred the parts of an existing building or the relations of a number of buildings to one another. |
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