Glossary of Terms

ALL 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

Ecofacts:  The non-artifactual organic and environmental remains recovered at archaeological sites that have cultural importance, e.g. pig bones and shellfish. 

Ethnoarchaeology:  The study of current societies with the purposes of connecting witnessed behaviors to material objects, e.g. watching the butchering of pigs to understand old cut marks on pig bones. 

Excavation:  An important field method for data collection, where the archaeologist carefully unearths cultural material from soil deposits. 

Experimental Archaeology:  The scientific study of past behaviors through controlled experiments, e.g. making adze replicas to understand how ancient people produced adzes in the past.