A Glossary of Selected Archaeological Terms (a work in progress)

Like any other profession, archaeology uses specific industry language that can be difficult to understand. Archaeologists use many technical terms and unique jargon in their work to describe particular periods, techniques and artifacts. Although I initially attempted to explain these terms at the end of some blog posts, I thought it might be more useful to add an archaeology Glossary to this weblog for better ease of reference. The subject of archaeology should be made accessible to everyone and, in my last couple of posts, I emphasized the importance of stimulating public interest in order to promote awareness for our cultural resources and heritage preservation. For more information, see my previous articles here and here. As an advocate for archaeology education, I feel it is my duty to help the uninitiated reader have a basic understanding of the concepts and terms that are frequently used within the archaeological profession. The purpose of this Glossary therefore is to help the user better understand archaeological terminology, no matter the level of interest possessed. Whether you are a professional in the heritage sector, an educator, a student, an avocational archaeologist, or someone who has just embarked on the subject, you should be able to comprehend this information. 

Using the Glossary

(a) Each term defined in this Glossary is shown alphabetically in bold font.

(b) Terms may be single words or longer phrases and may include domain-specific jargon or abbreviations.

(c) Within the text of definitions, supplementary terms defined elsewhere in the Glossary are shown in italics for ease of cross-referencing.

(d) Within the text of each new blog post, the terms available for access in this Glossary will be shown in bold font.

(e) Glossary entries are provided primarily in US English although UK English is also included where appropriate.

Scope of Glossary

Please note that this Glossary does not provide a comprehensive list, as the terminology specific to the discipline of archaeology is seemingly infinite. Further, this Glossary is a work in progress and entries may increase as new blog postings are added. It is also not intended as a study guide for students, although a mastering of this “archaeological vocabulary” may enhance some courses taken in archaeology. The Glossary’s main purpose is to provide a quick and easy reference to the meanings of popular terminology used in the field of archaeology. For further information about the terms defined, it is recommended that the reader consult external sources such as those listed in the Bibliography below.

Documents and publications of relevant sources used for the formation of this Glossary are included in the Bibliography. This Glossary is a work in progress and any errors found are my own (I do not have an editor for this weblog). Readers are invited to submit new terms, suggest changes or request the addition of abbreviations. You may comment in the box below or send an email to: DianeARees@Gmail.com

I hope you will find this Glossary useful! 

Bibliography

Sections of this Glossary were assembled with the help of a number of sources. Valued references include:

Lord, J. W. 1993. The Nature and Subsequent Uses of Flint. Volume 1: The Basics of Lithic Technology. John W. Lord.

Renfrew, C and Bahn, P. 2004 (4th edn.) Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. Thames & Hudson

Rice, P. C. 1998. Doing Archaeology: A Hands-On Laboratory Manual. Mayfield Publishing Company.

Zimmerman, Larry J. and Molyneaux, B. L. 1996. Native North America. University of Oklahoma Press.

Littleton Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot, Colorado

In August and September of 2000, I carried out an archaeological and historical buildings survey of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot in Littleton, Colorado. Although this was some time ago, the depot is one of the few remaining examples of the 19^th century style of small, stone depots and has some historical significance. It is therefore worth a brief mention here:

Background

The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot is located in downtown Littleton, Colorado, 5800 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado. However, the structure had previously been moved to a new location on two separate occasions: once from its original site in 1984, in order to protect it from pubic works; and again in 1999 to its present location to service as a component of the light rail stop, linking Littleton with Denver. Amazingly, the building was moved intact by its foundations, with the use of a hydraulic lift to place it on a trailer. It was subsequently driven to the new location and then set down using the same technology.

Historical setting

Only a small agricultural community existed at the time the first railroad (the Denver and Rio Grande or D & RG) reached Littleton in 1871. “Littleton” was named after Richard S. Little who worked as an engineer on the irrigation system of the area, before settling there in 1860. Although the name had been in use for several years, it did not become official until the town was platted in 1872. The D & RG officially opened for service on January 1872, and in the following year the railroad company built a wooden-framed depot. Two years later, this was superseded by the stone depot, which exists today. 

The D & RG line was built by William Jackson Palmer, in order to connect Denver to Colorado Springs (he planned a north-south railroad linking Denver and El Paso, Texas, and continuing to Mexico City). Littleton was merely en route. By 1887 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe finished its line through Littleton, and in 1889 the D & RG began regular commuter service between Littleton and Denver. The D & RG became the most extensive railroad system in the state of Colorado, contributing significantly to its growth and development.

The building’s significance

The style of the D & RG depot is typical of the railroad style of building produced in the Victorian period. The structure is single-level and measures around 41 by 24 feet (12.5 by 7.5 metres). Although the depot has moved location twice and has undergone various modifications over the years, it nevertheless maintains sufficient integrity in its design, materials, workmanship and use. It is locally significant for its connection with the development of transportation networks, settlement and economy in Colorado during the nineteenth century. The building is the only depot historically associated with the D & RG in Littleton and was an element of the first line from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1871. It is representative of the nineteenth century small-town design of depots in Colorado owing to its simple, rectangular rhyolite structure, and side-gable roof with widely overhanging eaves and decorative braces.

The depot today

The excellent condition of the structure has enabled the depot to be used in association with its original function, as a (light) rail depot in Littleton, with the additional use as a coffee shop (called “Romancing the Bean”). It is practical from an economic viewpoint, being busy with people who enjoy the charming building immensely. The owners of the coffee shop have even furnished the pleasant waiting area with historic photographs.

Bibliography

* HABS/HAER Historic American Buildings Survey. 1982. National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20243.

* Historic Structures Report: Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot. 1983. Community Services Collaborative, Boulder CO 80302.

* Littleton Community Network (LCN). 1997. Littleton History.

*Littleton Historical Museum Archives.

*MCQuarrie, R. J. and Bucholtz, C. W. 1990. Littleton, Colorado: Settlement to Centennial. Littleton: Littleton Historical Museum and Friends of the Library and Museum.

*Simmons, R. L. and Simmons, I. H. Littleton Historic Buildings Survey. 1997. Colorado Historical Society. 

Further Information

The full 2000 RCHME report has been deposited with the Littleton Historical Museum (http://www.littletongov.org/museum/)

Romancing the Bean - http://www.romancingthebeanlittleton.com/

Welcome to my blog!

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Hello and welcome to my blog, which examines multi-disciplinary archaeological and cultural heritage topics by observing past human cultures via the artifacts, monuments and landscapes they created. This site is currently under construction, but in due course will provide information relating to archaeological and historical investigations, ancient world sites and museums, preventative conservation and ethical issues relating to the protection of our heritage and the antiquities trade. Themes will include periods from the origins of the human species up until the last century. Over the years, I have obtained numerous photographs from both my workplace(s) as well as casual visits to countless museums. Rather than merely keeping them on CDs in a storage cupboard, it would be more beneficial to add them to this blogsite for all to enjoy. Whether you are a heritage professional or someone with a keen interest in the past, please stay tuned for updates. Thank you for your patience.