Glossary: C Terms
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Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru is an alternate spelling of the ancient Incan city of Cuzco.
Cusco, Peru is an alternate spelling of the ancient Incan city of Cuzco.
Conchopata (Peru)
Conchopata is a Wari Empire site located in the highlands of central Peru, within modern Ayacucho, and about 10 kilometers from the Wari empire capital city of Huari.
Conchopata is a Wari Empire site located in the highlands of central Peru, within modern Ayacucho, and about 10 kilometers from the Wari empire capital city of Huari.
Coprolites
Coprolite is the name given to fossil feces, preserved human excrement discovered in an archaeological context.
Coprolite is the name given to fossil feces, preserved human excrement discovered in an archaeological context.
Cuerdale Hoard (United Kingdom)
The Cuerdale Hoard is an enormous Viking silver treasure of some 8000 silver coins and pieces of bullion weighing nearly 40 kilograms, discovered in Lancaster England in 1840.
The Cuerdale Hoard is an enormous Viking silver treasure of some 8000 silver coins and pieces of bullion weighing nearly 40 kilograms, discovered in Lancaster England in 1840.
Chocolate Domestication
Theobroma spp is the official name of several varieties of tropical trees that are native to the northern Amazon region of South America and were cultivated and domesticated in central America to produce the wonderful elixir of the gods, chocolate.
Theobroma spp is the official name of several varieties of tropical trees that are native to the northern Amazon region of South America and were cultivated and domesticated in central America to produce the wonderful elixir of the gods, chocolate.
Cobá (Mexico)
Cobá is the name of a large lowland Maya city located between two large lakes in east central Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Cobá is the name of a large lowland Maya city located between two large lakes in east central Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Coxcatlan Cave (Mexico)
Coxcatlan Cave is a rockshelter in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico, and it was occupied by humans for nearly 10,000 years.
Coxcatlan Cave is a rockshelter in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico, and it was occupied by humans for nearly 10,000 years.
Characteristics of Ancient Civilizations
Ancient civilizations sometimes evolve from simpler societies; this much is apparent. The characteristics which identify increasing complexity include a range of different elements.
Ancient civilizations sometimes evolve from simpler societies; this much is apparent. The characteristics which identify increasing complexity include a range of different elements.
Cimmerian Culture
The Cimmerian culture were nomadic horse-riding people of the Russian steppes beginning about 1200 BC.
The Cimmerian culture were nomadic horse-riding people of the Russian steppes beginning about 1200 BC.
Cishan (China)
Cishan is the type site for the Cishan culture, an early Neolithic culture in the Yellow River of China, occupied from about 6500-5000 BC.
Cishan is the type site for the Cishan culture, an early Neolithic culture in the Yellow River of China, occupied from about 6500-5000 BC.
Clactonian Tradition
The Clactonian Tradition refers to the stone tools of the Lower Paleolithic period (ca. 500,000 to 100,000 BP) in Europe, made by Homo erectus.
The Clactonian Tradition refers to the stone tools of the Lower Paleolithic period (ca. 500,000 to 100,000 BP) in Europe, made by Homo erectus.
Classical Archaeology
The term classical archaeology generally refers to the study of ancient Greece and Rome and their immediate forebears.
The term classical archaeology generally refers to the study of ancient Greece and Rome and their immediate forebears.
Cliff Dwellings
The term "Cliff dwellings" generally refers to Anasazi culture sites such as Mesa Verde, Colorado in the United States that have residences built right into the sheer cliffs of mountains.
The term "Cliff dwellings" generally refers to Anasazi culture sites such as Mesa Verde, Colorado in the United States that have residences built right into the sheer cliffs of mountains.
CLIMAP Project
The CLIMAP Project was developed in the 1970s by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The CLIMAP Project was developed in the 1970s by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Clovis Culture
The Clovis culture is the earliest well-established human culture in the North American continent
The Clovis culture is the earliest well-established human culture in the North American continent
Cochise Culture
The Cochise culture is the name given to preceramic cultures of the American southwest, particularly Arizon, between 12,000 and 2,000 years ago.
The Cochise culture is the name given to preceramic cultures of the American southwest, particularly Arizon, between 12,000 and 2,000 years ago.
Codex
A codex (plural codices) is the technical name for an ancient book or manuscript
A codex (plural codices) is the technical name for an ancient book or manuscript
Cognitive Archaeology
Cognitive archaeology is a theoretical underpinning of archaeological research that is interested in the material expression of human cognitive concepts.
Cognitive archaeology is a theoretical underpinning of archaeological research that is interested in the material expression of human cognitive concepts.
Coles Creek Culture
The Coles Creek culture is the name given to sites created by a group of pottery-making farmers in the Lower Mississippi Valley of the United States
The Coles Creek culture is the name given to sites created by a group of pottery-making farmers in the Lower Mississippi Valley of the United States
Colha (Belize)
The archaeological site of Colha is a Maya occupation located in Belize about 60 kilometers north of Belize City.
The archaeological site of Colha is a Maya occupation located in Belize about 60 kilometers north of Belize City.
Collections Management
Collections management attempts to identify the best method of keeping archaeological material preserved and accessible to archaeologists for further study, and/or the general public for educational purposes.
Collections management attempts to identify the best method of keeping archaeological material preserved and accessible to archaeologists for further study, and/or the general public for educational purposes.
Colonial Williamsburg (USA)
The town of Williamsburg, Virginia is important because of its role in United States history; and its role in presenting concrete images of the past to the public.
The town of Williamsburg, Virginia is important because of its role in United States history; and its role in presenting concrete images of the past to the public.
Commercial Archaeology
Commercial archaeology focuses on the material culture aspects of commerce and transportation.
Commercial archaeology focuses on the material culture aspects of commerce and transportation.
Constantinople (Turkey)
Constantinople is the old name for Istanbul, the great city located in what is now Turkey.
Constantinople is the old name for Istanbul, the great city located in what is now Turkey.
Coptic Christianity
The Coptic church is a form of Christianity developed in Egypt, said to have been started by one of Christ's apostles, Mark, in the 1st century AD
The Coptic church is a form of Christianity developed in Egypt, said to have been started by one of Christ's apostles, Mark, in the 1st century AD
Copán (Honduras)
The archaeological site of Copán is located in western Honduras, and represents a major Classic period Maya temple and regional center.
The archaeological site of Copán is located in western Honduras, and represents a major Classic period Maya temple and regional center.
Corded Ware Culture
The Corded Ware culture or complex is the name given to a wave of people in the Neolithic period, originating from the Carpathian mountains and the area now called the Baltic States.
The Corded Ware culture or complex is the name given to a wave of people in the Neolithic period, originating from the Carpathian mountains and the area now called the Baltic States.
Core
A core, in the archaeological sense, is the basic raw material building block for a stone tool.
A core, in the archaeological sense, is the basic raw material building block for a stone tool.
Corinth (Greece)
The archaeological site of Corinth was an ancient capital city of Greece, first occupied during the Neolithic period, and most famous for its Greek and Roman occupations.
The archaeological site of Corinth was an ancient capital city of Greece, first occupied during the Neolithic period, and most famous for its Greek and Roman occupations.
Corlea Trackway (Ireland)
Corlea Trackway is an Iron Age roadway that measures one kilometer long and four meters (12 feet) wide, and was built of massive oaken planks
Corlea Trackway is an Iron Age roadway that measures one kilometer long and four meters (12 feet) wide, and was built of massive oaken planks
Cortaillod-Est (Switzerland)
The site of Cortaillod-Est is an Alpine Lake palisaded village in a lake in Switzerland, dated to the Late Bronze Age (1009-955 BC).
The site of Cortaillod-Est is an Alpine Lake palisaded village in a lake in Switzerland, dated to the Late Bronze Age (1009-955 BC).
Cosmology
Cosmology is the intersection between astronomy and religion; many if not most prehistoric cultures studied the movement of the stars and planets as part of a religious rituals.
Cosmology is the intersection between astronomy and religion; many if not most prehistoric cultures studied the movement of the stars and planets as part of a religious rituals.
Crickley Hill (UK)
Crickley Hill is an important Neolithic and Iron Age site in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Crickley Hill is an important Neolithic and Iron Age site in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Cro-Magnon
Cro-Magnon is a now-outmoded word meaning early Homo sapiens sapiens, circa 35,000 to 10,000 years before the present.
Cro-Magnon is a now-outmoded word meaning early Homo sapiens sapiens, circa 35,000 to 10,000 years before the present.
Ctesiphon (Iraq)
Ctesiphon is the name of a very old city at the confluence of the Tigris and Diyala rivers near Baghdad in what is now Iraq.
Ctesiphon is the name of a very old city at the confluence of the Tigris and Diyala rivers near Baghdad in what is now Iraq.
Cucuteni culture
The Cucuteni culture is a Neolithic/Chalcolithic civilization dated to 5400-2750 BC.
The Cucuteni culture is a Neolithic/Chalcolithic civilization dated to 5400-2750 BC.
Cuerdale Hoard (UK)
The Cuerdale Hoard is an enormous Viking cache of 8000 silver coins and bullion discovered in Lancashire
The Cuerdale Hoard is an enormous Viking cache of 8000 silver coins and bullion discovered in Lancashire
Cuicuilco (Mexico)
Cuicuilco is the name of a Late Formative period site (300-1 BC) located in the Basin of Mexico, located in the Distrito Federale of Mexico City.
Cuicuilco is the name of a Late Formative period site (300-1 BC) located in the Basin of Mexico, located in the Distrito Federale of Mexico City.
Cultural Ecology
Cultural Ecology is an anthropological theory put forward by Julian Steward, that considers adaptation to environment as the paramount driver in cultural change.
Cultural Ecology is an anthropological theory put forward by Julian Steward, that considers adaptation to environment as the paramount driver in cultural change.
Cultural Evolution
The theory of cultural evolution was proposed by British archaeologist A.H.L. Fox Pitt-Rivers in the early 20th century.
The theory of cultural evolution was proposed by British archaeologist A.H.L. Fox Pitt-Rivers in the early 20th century.
Cultural Historical Method
The cultural-historical method is a way of conducting anthropological and archaeological research developed by V.G. Childe and Franz Boas.
The cultural-historical method is a way of conducting anthropological and archaeological research developed by V.G. Childe and Franz Boas.
Cultural Resource Management
Cultural Resource Management is the term generally used to mean government-sponsored preservation and study of archaeological and historical resources, including archaeological sites, historical buildings.
Cultural Resource Management is the term generally used to mean government-sponsored preservation and study of archaeological and historical resources, including archaeological sites, historical buildings.
Culture
To anthropologists (and many archaeologists), culture refers to the way of life of a group of people.
To anthropologists (and many archaeologists), culture refers to the way of life of a group of people.
Culture-People Hypothesis
The culture people hypothesis is the theory that specific material culture and characteristics (like pot decorations and projectile point types, etc.) can be associated with a particular cultural group.
The culture people hypothesis is the theory that specific material culture and characteristics (like pot decorations and projectile point types, etc.) can be associated with a particular cultural group.
Cuneiform
One of the earliest forms of writing, cuneiform was (probably) invented in Uruk, Mesopotamia around 3000 BC.
One of the earliest forms of writing, cuneiform was (probably) invented in Uruk, Mesopotamia around 3000 BC.
Curriboo Plantation (USA)
Curriboo Plantation is the name of an 18th century farming operation in South Carolina, in the southeastern United States.
Curriboo Plantation is the name of an 18th century farming operation in South Carolina, in the southeastern United States.
Cuzco (Peru)
The modern day city of Cuzco in the Andes Mountains of Peru was founded, according to legend, by Manco Capac, the founder of the Incan Civilization.
The modern day city of Cuzco in the Andes Mountains of Peru was founded, according to legend, by Manco Capac, the founder of the Incan Civilization.
Cycladic Culture
The Cycladic Culture is the term used to refer to the ancestral Greek culture of the Cycladic islands of the southern Aegean Sea
The Cycladic Culture is the term used to refer to the ancestral Greek culture of the Cycladic islands of the southern Aegean Sea