Archaeology Glossary Entries from C-Group to Cayönü
C-Ca | Cb-Ch | Ci-Cz
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Caravansary
A caravansary is a roadside inn or way station located on the various connecting roads making up the ancient Silk Road across Asia.
A caravansary is a roadside inn or way station located on the various connecting roads making up the ancient Silk Road across Asia.
Cassava
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), also known as manioc, tapioca, yuca and mandioca, is a domesticated species of tuber, originally domesticated on the southwestern border of the Amazon Basin.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), also known as manioc, tapioca, yuca and mandioca, is a domesticated species of tuber, originally domesticated on the southwestern border of the Amazon Basin.
Cacao in Mesoamerica
Criollo cacao (Theobroma cacao spp cacao) is the name of a small tropical tree with large ovate fruit, native to the northern Amazon of South America but found in ancient planted groves throughout central America.
Criollo cacao (Theobroma cacao spp cacao) is the name of a small tropical tree with large ovate fruit, native to the northern Amazon of South America but found in ancient planted groves throughout central America.
Capacocha Ceremony
The capacocha ceremony was an important part of the Inca civilization, in which children were sacrificed to celebrate royal events, or to avoid natural catastrophes.
The capacocha ceremony was an important part of the Inca civilization, in which children were sacrificed to celebrate royal events, or to avoid natural catastrophes.
Cannibalism
Cannibalism refers to a range of behaviors in which one human consumes another or parts of another for survival, dietary, ritual and/or pathological reasons.
Cannibalism refers to a range of behaviors in which one human consumes another or parts of another for survival, dietary, ritual and/or pathological reasons.
C-Group Culture
The third segment of the terms used by archaeologists to define Nubian culture, the C-Group lasted from about 2000-1700 BC.
The third segment of the terms used by archaeologists to define Nubian culture, the C-Group lasted from about 2000-1700 BC.
Cacaxtla (Mexico)
Cacaxtla was a Late Classic to Epiclassic (AD 600-900) city in the Puebla Valley, Tlaxcala, Mexico, with a population of about 10,000 at its peak.
Cacaxtla was a Late Classic to Epiclassic (AD 600-900) city in the Puebla Valley, Tlaxcala, Mexico, with a population of about 10,000 at its peak.
Cactus Hill (USA)
Cactus Hill is a buried multicomponent site on the Nottaway River of Virginia, with archaic, Clovis and, below the Clovis and separated by sterile sand, an apparent Pre-Clovis occupation.
Cactus Hill is a buried multicomponent site on the Nottaway River of Virginia, with archaic, Clovis and, below the Clovis and separated by sterile sand, an apparent Pre-Clovis occupation.
Caddoan Culture
Caddoan culture is the name given to farmers in the Arkansas River Valley of the central southern United States and southwestward between about 1100-400 BP (years before the present).
Caddoan culture is the name given to farmers in the Arkansas River Valley of the central southern United States and southwestward between about 1100-400 BP (years before the present).
Cadiz (Spain)
The modern port city of Cadiz (originally called Gadir or Gardes) in the Andalucia region of Spain was a Phoenician colony of Tyre founded at least by the 9th century BC.
The modern port city of Cadiz (originally called Gadir or Gardes) in the Andalucia region of Spain was a Phoenician colony of Tyre founded at least by the 9th century BC.
Cahal Pech (Belize)
The site of Cahal Pech is an early Middle Formative to Classic period Maya site in Belize, occupied pretty much continuously between 900 B.C. to A.D. 800.
The site of Cahal Pech is an early Middle Formative to Classic period Maya site in Belize, occupied pretty much continuously between 900 B.C. to A.D. 800.
Cahokia (USA)
Cahokia is a large Mississippian (AD 1000-1600) agricultural settlement located on the American Bottom of the Mississippi River in Illinois.
Cahokia is a large Mississippian (AD 1000-1600) agricultural settlement located on the American Bottom of the Mississippi River in Illinois.
Cahuachi (Peru)
Cahuachi is a major ceremonial center of the Nasca civilization in Peru, occupied from between AD 1-500.
Cahuachi is a major ceremonial center of the Nasca civilization in Peru, occupied from between AD 1-500.
Cai Beo (Vietnam)
Cai Beo is an archaeological site and the name of the related Hoabinhian period culture in Vietnam.
Cai Beo is an archaeological site and the name of the related Hoabinhian period culture in Vietnam.
Cairn
A cairn is, in essence, an intentionally-laid pile of rocks.
A cairn is, in essence, an intentionally-laid pile of rocks.
Cairo (Egypt)
The Islamic city of Cairo is, oddly enough, one of the newer cities in Egypt, founded in the 7th century AD as a military outpost.
The Islamic city of Cairo is, oddly enough, one of the newer cities in Egypt, founded in the 7th century AD as a military outpost.
Cajamarca Culture
The Cajamarca Culture was a small polity in the Peruvian highlands, ca. AD 500-1450
The Cajamarca Culture was a small polity in the Peruvian highlands, ca. AD 500-1450
Calico Hills (USA)
Calico Hills is an area of the Mojave Desert in California and the location of the attempts by paleoanthropologists Louis Leakey and Ruth Simpson to find evidence of early humans in the New World.
Calico Hills is an area of the Mojave Desert in California and the location of the attempts by paleoanthropologists Louis Leakey and Ruth Simpson to find evidence of early humans in the New World.
Camels
There are two species of quadruped animal of the deserts of the world, both of which have implications for archaeology.
There are two species of quadruped animal of the deserts of the world, both of which have implications for archaeology.
Can Llobateres (Spain)
Can Llobateres is a Middle Miocene site in Spain, where fossilized remains of the extinct ape Dryopithecus fontani were recovered and have been to between 9-10 million years ago.
Can Llobateres is a Middle Miocene site in Spain, where fossilized remains of the extinct ape Dryopithecus fontani were recovered and have been to between 9-10 million years ago.
Canaan
Canaan (also called Phoenicia) is the name of a Bronze Age culture and country in what is now Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon.
Canaan (also called Phoenicia) is the name of a Bronze Age culture and country in what is now Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon.
Cannibalism
One of the early and rare practices of human beings, cannibalism involves a range of behaviors in which one human consumes another or parts of another, for dietary or ritual purposes.
One of the early and rare practices of human beings, cannibalism involves a range of behaviors in which one human consumes another or parts of another, for dietary or ritual purposes.
Canterbury Cathedral (UK)
The Canterbury Cathedral is probably among the most famous church edifices in the world, partly because of its famous archbishops including St. Augustine, Thomas Cranmer, and Thomas Becket
The Canterbury Cathedral is probably among the most famous church edifices in the world, partly because of its famous archbishops including St. Augustine, Thomas Cranmer, and Thomas Becket
Capelinha (Brazil)
The site of Capelinha is a Paleoindian site in the Ribeira do Iguape Valley of Sao Paulo state in Brazil, and it is a shell midden with six human burials.
The site of Capelinha is a Paleoindian site in the Ribeira do Iguape Valley of Sao Paulo state in Brazil, and it is a shell midden with six human burials.
Capernaum (Israel)
The town of Capernaum is mentioned several times in the New Testament of the Judeo-Christian bible, as the home of several apostles.
The town of Capernaum is mentioned several times in the New Testament of the Judeo-Christian bible, as the home of several apostles.
Cardiff Giant (USA)
The Cardiff Giant was a famous nineteenth century hoax, which paid off handsomely to its perpetrators.
The Cardiff Giant was a famous nineteenth century hoax, which paid off handsomely to its perpetrators.
Carib Indians
Native American group who had the unfortunate honor of being the first to meet Columbus in the New World in 1492. Within a decade, they were reported to have been destroyed by diseases brought by the Spanish explorers; but their ancestors continue to populate the Caribbean Islands.
Native American group who had the unfortunate honor of being the first to meet Columbus in the New World in 1492. Within a decade, they were reported to have been destroyed by diseases brought by the Spanish explorers; but their ancestors continue to populate the Caribbean Islands.
Carnac (France)
Carnac is a town on the Morbihan coast of the Bretagne region of France, the vicinity of which is known world wide for abundant Neolithic megalithic structures.
Carnac is a town on the Morbihan coast of the Bretagne region of France, the vicinity of which is known world wide for abundant Neolithic megalithic structures.
Carthage (Tunisia)
Carthage was a Phoenician colony located in what is now the country of Tunisia about 15 kilometers from the capital city of Tunis.
Carthage was a Phoenician colony located in what is now the country of Tunisia about 15 kilometers from the capital city of Tunis.
Casas Grandes (Mexico)
Casas Grandes (or Paquimé) was a large, influential capital city of the Casas Grandes polity in the state of Chihuahua, northern Mexico
Casas Grandes (or Paquimé) was a large, influential capital city of the Casas Grandes polity in the state of Chihuahua, northern Mexico
Casimiroid Culture
The Casimiroid culture is an Archaic period culture of the Caribbean Sea in Central America, with the type site found on the island of Casimira in the Dominican Republic.
The Casimiroid culture is an Archaic period culture of the Caribbean Sea in Central America, with the type site found on the island of Casimira in the Dominican Republic.
Castel del Monte (Italy)
The World Heritage site Castel del Monte is a medieval period castle, built by Frederick II between AD 1229 and 1249.
The World Heritage site Castel del Monte is a medieval period castle, built by Frederick II between AD 1229 and 1249.
Castelluccio Culture
The Castelluccio Culture is a Bronze Age (2000-1400 BC) culture of Sicily, and the name of the type site.
The Castelluccio Culture is a Bronze Age (2000-1400 BC) culture of Sicily, and the name of the type site.
Catal Hoyuk (Turkey)
Catal Hoyuk is an Early Neolithic site in Turkey (6300-5500 BC), and so far the oldest civilization on earth.
Catal Hoyuk is an Early Neolithic site in Turkey (6300-5500 BC), and so far the oldest civilization on earth.
Causeways
A causeway is an early form of transportation system, consisting of a narrow, man-made earthen or rock structure that bridged a waterway.
A causeway is an early form of transportation system, consisting of a narrow, man-made earthen or rock structure that bridged a waterway.
Cave Art
Cave art refers to paintings, murals, drawings, etchings, carvings, and pecked artwork on the interior of rockshelters and caves.
Cave art refers to paintings, murals, drawings, etchings, carvings, and pecked artwork on the interior of rockshelters and caves.
Cayönü (Turkey)
Cayönü is an Early Neolithic site (Pre-Pottery Neolithic B) in the upper Tigris valley of southeastern Turkey
Cayönü is an Early Neolithic site (Pre-Pottery Neolithic B) in the upper Tigris valley of southeastern Turkey
El Castillo (Spain, Mexico, and Belize)
The name El Castillo ("the Castle" in Spanish) has been given to at least four sites that I'm aware of.
The name El Castillo ("the Castle" in Spanish) has been given to at least four sites that I'm aware of.