Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology by Timothy Darvill Page A
Authors: Timothy Darvill
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to the Avenue and thence to Avebury.
[Sum.: A. Burl , 1979, Prehistoric Avebury . London and New Haven: Yale University Press]
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avenue [MC].
A more or less parallel-sided strip of ground whose sides are defined or marked by lines of upright stones or timber posts and/or low earthworks. Such features are found widely in different cultures at different times, often connected with the formal approaches to ceremonial monuments or buildings. In the later Neolithic of the British Isles a number are associated with approaches to STONE CIRCLES , as at AVEBURY and STONEHENGE .
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Avienus , Rufus Festus [Na].
Roman writer of fables in elegiac verse of the late 4th century ad . His poem, Ora Maritima , contains borrowings from the Massiliote Periplus an account of a sea voyage from Massilia (Marseilles) along the western Mediterranean, thought to date back to the 6th century bc at the latest. It includes reference to the islands of Ierne and Albion, Ireland and Britain, whose inhabitants reputedly traded with the Oestrymnides of Brittany.
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avocado [Sp].
A pear-shaped fruit with soft oily edible flesh (Persea americana). Native to Mexico. Domesticated from about 1800 bc.
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awl [Ar].
A hand-held bone, flint, or metal piercing tool with a strong sharp point used for making holes in such materials as leather, wood, or cloth.
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axe [Ar].
Stone or metal cutting tool mounted on a wooden or bone haft with the cutting edge parallel to the haft.
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axe factory [MC].
A place where stone axeheads were manufactured from fine-grained rock during the Neolithic period in Europe. Axe factories include quarry sites where ADITS and pits follow bands of the desired rock into the ground, but in other cases exploited surface outcrops or detached boulders of suitable rock. Primary working involving the production of ROUGH-OUTS is usual, only a few sites having evidence for polishing and finishing. Very extensive axe factories are known at Great Langdale, England, Graig Llwyd, Wales, Tievebulliagh, Ireland, and Plussulien, Brittany.
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axe-hammer [Ar].
A large and usually heavy kind of perforated stone axe with a broad flat butt at one end, a tapered blade at the other, and a shaft-hole towards the butt end. The stone examples found in Neolithic and early Bronze Age contexts in northwestern Europe are probably copies of copper and bronze examples current at the time in central Europe. Their purpose is unknown. See also BATTLE-AXE .
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Ayampitín points [Ar].
Bifacially worked stone missile tips of willow-leaf outline found among archaic hunter-gatherer communities of the Peruvian highlands and coasts in 9000–7000 bc. Typical examples are 60–70mm long.
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Aylesford–Swarling Culture [CP].
Late La Tène regional culture in southeastern England, named after two cemeteries in Kent, and conventionally associated with immigrants of the 1st century bc from Belgic Gaul. Innovations of the period include the introduction of coinage and of wheel-thrown pottery, including characteristic jars with pedestal bases and cordon ornament, platters, cups, and beakers. There were imports of Italic-type bronzes as well as wine amphorae from continental Europe, and this continued after the Roman conquest of Gaul with the import of Gaulish and Arretine wares.
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Azilian [CP].
A late upper Palaeolithic industry of northern Spain and southwest France dating to the period 9000 to 8000 bc named after the site of Le Mas D'Azil near Toulouse on the French side of the Pyrenees. The industry is characterized by microlithic tools, notably the so-called Azilian point, which is a kind of double-pointed backed blade. Flat perforated and barbed harpoons of
[Sum.: A. Burl , 1979, Prehistoric Avebury . London and New Haven: Yale University Press]
Back -
New Search
avenue [MC].
A more or less parallel-sided strip of ground whose sides are defined or marked by lines of upright stones or timber posts and/or low earthworks. Such features are found widely in different cultures at different times, often connected with the formal approaches to ceremonial monuments or buildings. In the later Neolithic of the British Isles a number are associated with approaches to STONE CIRCLES , as at AVEBURY and STONEHENGE .
Back -
New Search
Avienus , Rufus Festus [Na].
Roman writer of fables in elegiac verse of the late 4th century ad . His poem, Ora Maritima , contains borrowings from the Massiliote Periplus an account of a sea voyage from Massilia (Marseilles) along the western Mediterranean, thought to date back to the 6th century bc at the latest. It includes reference to the islands of Ierne and Albion, Ireland and Britain, whose inhabitants reputedly traded with the Oestrymnides of Brittany.
Back -
New Search
avocado [Sp].
A pear-shaped fruit with soft oily edible flesh (Persea americana). Native to Mexico. Domesticated from about 1800 bc.
Back -
New Search
awl [Ar].
A hand-held bone, flint, or metal piercing tool with a strong sharp point used for making holes in such materials as leather, wood, or cloth.
Back -
New Search
axe [Ar].
Stone or metal cutting tool mounted on a wooden or bone haft with the cutting edge parallel to the haft.
Back -
New Search
axe factory [MC].
A place where stone axeheads were manufactured from fine-grained rock during the Neolithic period in Europe. Axe factories include quarry sites where ADITS and pits follow bands of the desired rock into the ground, but in other cases exploited surface outcrops or detached boulders of suitable rock. Primary working involving the production of ROUGH-OUTS is usual, only a few sites having evidence for polishing and finishing. Very extensive axe factories are known at Great Langdale, England, Graig Llwyd, Wales, Tievebulliagh, Ireland, and Plussulien, Brittany.
Back -
New Search
axe-hammer [Ar].
A large and usually heavy kind of perforated stone axe with a broad flat butt at one end, a tapered blade at the other, and a shaft-hole towards the butt end. The stone examples found in Neolithic and early Bronze Age contexts in northwestern Europe are probably copies of copper and bronze examples current at the time in central Europe. Their purpose is unknown. See also BATTLE-AXE .
Back -
New Search
Ayampitín points [Ar].
Bifacially worked stone missile tips of willow-leaf outline found among archaic hunter-gatherer communities of the Peruvian highlands and coasts in 9000–7000 bc. Typical examples are 60–70mm long.
Back -
New Search
Aylesford–Swarling Culture [CP].
Late La Tène regional culture in southeastern England, named after two cemeteries in Kent, and conventionally associated with immigrants of the 1st century bc from Belgic Gaul. Innovations of the period include the introduction of coinage and of wheel-thrown pottery, including characteristic jars with pedestal bases and cordon ornament, platters, cups, and beakers. There were imports of Italic-type bronzes as well as wine amphorae from continental Europe, and this continued after the Roman conquest of Gaul with the import of Gaulish and Arretine wares.
Back -
New Search
Azilian [CP].
A late upper Palaeolithic industry of northern Spain and southwest France dating to the period 9000 to 8000 bc named after the site of Le Mas D'Azil near Toulouse on the French side of the Pyrenees. The industry is characterized by microlithic tools, notably the so-called Azilian point, which is a kind of double-pointed backed blade. Flat perforated and barbed harpoons of
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