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excavation
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Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.
Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench. more ->
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Trial Trench
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A small regular hole that is usually square or rectangular in shape. Archaeologists dig trial trenches to discover if there are any archaeological remains at a particular location. See also excavation.
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Roman
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About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)
The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.
The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards. more ->
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CREMATION *
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A funeral rite in which the human body is burnt, usually on a pyre, leaving fragmentary charred or completely combusted remains. Often found buried, occasionally in a container associated with grave goods.
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LAYER *
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An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features.
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CISTERN *
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A covered tank in which rainwater is stored for use when required.
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SITE *
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Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible.
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BUILDING *
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A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known.
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INHUMATION *
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An interment of unburnt, articulated human remains. Use specific type where known.
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STONE *
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Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function.
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URN *
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A garden ornament, usually of stone or metal, designed in the the form of a vase used to receive the ashes of the dead.
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FEATURE *
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Areas of indeterminate function.
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BEAM SLOT *
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A trench dug to contain a sill beam, a horizontal timber beam used as a foundation for the wall of a building. Use wider site type where known.
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FORT *
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A permanently occupied position or building designed primarily for defence.
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GULLY *
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A deep gutter, drain or sink.
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ABBEY *
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A religious house governed by an abbot or abbess. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, MONASTERY or NUNNERY.
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ROAD *
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A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles.
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PIT *
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A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known.
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HEARTH *
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The slab or place on which a fire is made.
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WELL *
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A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water.
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BLEACHFIELD *
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Large field or yard used to lay fabrics out ready for bleaching.
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DITCH *
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A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year.
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BURIAL *
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An interment of human or animal remains. Use specific type where known. If component use with wider site type. Use FUNERARY SITE for optimum retrieval in searches.
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STRUCTURE *
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A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type.
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WALL *
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An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known.
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TANK *
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Armoured military vehicle with its own firepower, which operates on tracks for troop mobility over rough terrain. Some may be adapted, or purpose-built, to be amphibious, and may then be double-indexed as AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE.
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POST HOLE *
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A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known.
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WORKS *
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Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known.
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* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)