|
WMA
|
West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record.
|
| back |
|
excavation
|
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 ->
|
| back |
|
|
Aerial Photograph
|
Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical.
|
| back |
|
Prehistoric
|
About 500,000 BC to 42 AD
The Prehistoric period covers all the periods from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Iron Age.
This is a time when people did not write anything down so there is no documentary evidence for archaeologists to look at. Instead, the archaeologists look at the material culture belonging to the people and the places where they lived for clues about their way of life.
The Prehistoric period is divided into the Early Prehistoric and Later Prehistoric.
The Early Prehistoric period covers the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods.
The Later Prehistoric period covers Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age times.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
Bronze Age
|
About 2500 BC to 700 BC
The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.
The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.
During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
Iron Age
|
About 800 BC to 43 AD
The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
more ->
|
| back |
|
HOUSE *
|
A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
SITE *
|
Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible.
|
| back |
|
|
SETTLEMENT *
|
A small concentration of dwellings.
|
| back |
|
|
FEATURE *
|
Areas of indeterminate function.
|
| back |
|
|
FARMSTEAD *
|
The homestead of a farm consisting of a farmhouse and working farm buildings, with yards, other working areas and usually a garden to the house.
|
| back |
|
|
CURSUS *
|
A long narrow rectangular earthwork enclosure of Neolithic date, usually defined by a bank and ditch and presumed to be of ceremonial function. Known examples range in length from less than 100m to c.10km.
|
| back |
|
|
PIT *
|
A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
PIT ALIGNMENT *
|
A single line, or pair of roughly parallel lines, of pits set at intervals along a common axis or series of axes. The pits are not thought to have held posts.
|
| back |
|
|
ENCLOSURE *
|
An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
WOOD *
|
A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest.
|
| back |
|
|
DITCH *
|
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.
|
| back |
|
|
ROUND *
|
A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England.
|
| back |
|
|
UNENCLOSED SETTLEMENT *
|
A settlement without any obvious evidence for a boundary. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
POST HOLE *
|
A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
DOMESTIC *
|
This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms.
|
| back |
* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)
