Acoustics
The characteristics of a space that determine the quality of sound in it
Adobe
A mixture of sun-dried clay and straw used as a building material
Anthropology
The study of humanity, of its origins and future, and of individual and group behavior
Archaic human
Species of the genus Homo leading up to, but not including, Homo sapiens
Archaeology
The study of humanity’s past through the examination of physical remains
Archipelago
A cohesive group of islands
Carbon dating
A method of determining the age or date of organic matter from the relative proportions of the carbon isotopes carbon-12 and carbon-14 that it contains
Causeway
A raised road or path, often above wet or low ground
Complex society
A stage in the formation of a society characterized by a dense population, centralized government and bureaucracy, job specialization, organized religion, class hierarchy, and other such factors
Corbel vault
A construction method for bridging open space by insetting successive parallel layers of brick or stone until they meet in the center
Cosmology
The study of the origins and evolution of the universe
Dolerite
A medium-grained subvolcanic rock composed of crystals set in a fine matrix
Earthwork
An artificial mound, bank, or other formation made of soil
Façade
The exterior surfaces of a building, not including the roof
Fertile Crescent
A large region of the ancient world encompassing the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, southern Anatolia, and the Levant
Forecourt
A formal open area in front of the entrance to a building or complex of buildings
Genus
A category in the classification of biological organisms that ranks above “species” and below “family”
Gravettian
A late Stone Age culture that flourished in Europe from 33,000 BC to 17,000 BC
Henge
A prehistoric monument consisting of a circular area enclosed by a berm and ditch, often incorporating one or more rings of standing stones or wood poles, and possibly used for ritual purposes or as an astronomical observatory
Homo habilis
An archaic human species of the genus Homo that existed from roughly 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago
Homo sapiens
The only existing species of the genus Homo, which emerged in Africa around 300,000 BC
Lintel
A flat structural element of stone, wood, metal, or other material that spans an opening such as a door or window
Megalith
A very large stone or stones erected as a freestanding monument during human prehistory
Mound
In archaeological terms, an artificial hill of earth, stone, brick, or other materials
Mudbrick
A brick dried in the open air, made with various mixtures of earth, water, and materials such as sand, straw, and grain husks
Neolithic
The final phase of the Stone Age, starting with the emergence of agriculture in the Middle East around 8,000 BC, and concluding with the introduction of metallurgy at various periods around the globe
Nomadism
A way of life characterized by a lack of fixed residence and the seasonal movement of people within a defined territory
Paleoanthropology
The study of human evolution and culture in prehistory
Paleoarchaeology
The study of human prehistory through the examination of physical remains
Paleolithic
The early phase of the Stone Age, spanning the period from roughly 2.5 million years ago until the advent of agriculture in the Middle East around 8,000 BC
Palisade
A wooden or metal fence forming a defensive enclosure
Passage tomb
Also called a passage grave, characterized by a narrow passage of stone leading to an inner chamber or chambers, the whole covered in a mound of earth or stone
Pigment
Coloring agents derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources
Pilgrimage
A journey to a spiritually or ritually significant destination
Pleistocene
A geological epoch spanning from roughly 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, often referred to as the Ice Age
Prehistory
The study of human events prior to the advent of written records
Sarsen
A kind of sandstone boulder used in the construction of Prehistoric monuments, particularly in the United Kingdom
Solstice
The longest (summer) and shortest (winter) days of the year, based on the position of the sun
Species
The lowest, most basic category in the classification of biological organisms, ranking below “genus”
Stone Age
A period of human prehistory characterized by the widespread use of stone tools, spanning from roughly 2.5 million years ago until the advent of metallurgy starting in the third millennium BC
Tell
A raised mound marking the location of a historic monument or building, particularly in the Middle East, formed by the accumulation of building material and debris over time
Woolly Mammoth
An extinct elephant species with a shaggy coat of fur and large curving tusks
Ziggurat
A monumental, stepped tower, often topped with a temple, particular to ancient Mesopotamia