Archaeological Dating and Early Human Migration

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to absolute dating methods, ancient architecture, early human migration routes, and early civilizations discussed in the lecture notes.

Absolute Dating

A method of determining the actual age of an artifact, site, or event in calendar years.

Vent (architectural)

An opening allowing the passage of air or other gases.

Parapet

A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.

Floor Offset

A change in the height or alignment of a floor level.

T-Shaped Door

A distinctive architectural door opening shaped like an inverted 'T'.

Corner Door

A doorway located at the corner of a room or structure.

Niche

A shallow recess in a wall, often used for display or as a feature.

Closing (architectural)

A structural element used to enclose or seal an opening.

Secondary Beam

A beam supported by primary beams, distributing loads to them.

Primary Beam

A main structural beam that supports other beams or a floor system.

Lintel

A horizontal support of timber, stone, or steel across the top of a door or window opening.

Full-Length Door

A door that extends from the floor to the full height of the doorway.

Sill

A horizontal piece of timber or stone at the foot of a window or doorway.

Portal

An impressive or monumental entrance to a building or place.

Balcony

A platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade.

Room-Wide Platform

A raised flat surface extending across an entire room.

Intramural Beams

Structural beams located within the walls of a building.

Foundations

The lowest part of a building or wall, resting on the ground and supporting the rest of the structure.

Secondary Jamb & Lintel

Additional vertical (jamb) and horizontal (lintel) structural pieces within or around an opening.

Raised Sill Door

A door with a sill that is elevated above the surrounding floor level.

Post Hole With Stone Shims

A hole in the ground for a post, stabilized with small stones.

Tree Rings

Annual growth layers in trees, with thicker rings indicating more precipitation and thinner rings indicating less precipitation.

Tree-ring chronologies

Sequences of tree rings built by cross-dating samples from living trees and progressively older archaeological wood specimens.

Dendrochronology

The scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree rings.

ANASAZI

A prehistoric Native American culture in the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States (e.g., Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon).

HOHOKAM

A prehistoric Native American culture in the Sonoran Desert of central and southern Arizona (e.g., Pueblo Grande, Casa Grande).

MOGOLLON

A prehistoric Native American culture in the mountainous regions of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico (e.g., Gila Cliff Dwellings).

Radiocarbon Dating (C-14 dating)

The most widely used dating method that measures the decay of Carbon-14 in organic materials after an organism's death.

Carbon 14 (C-14)

A radioactive isotope of carbon absorbed by living organisms, which decays into Nitrogen-14 after death via beta decay.

Beta decay

The process by which Carbon-14 changes to Nitrogen-14, releasing a beta particle, occurring after an organism's death.

Radiocarbon age (BP)

An uncalibrated age obtained from radiocarbon dating, expressed in 'Before Present' years, counting back from 1950 CE.

Radiocarbon Calibration

The process of converting uncalibrated radiocarbon ages (BP) into calendar years (BCE/CE) by correcting for historical fluctuations in atmospheric C-14.

2 Sigma calibrated results

A range of calendar dates with a 95% probability that the true age of a radiocarbon sample falls within it.

1 Sigma calibrated result

A range of calendar dates with a 68% probability that the true age of a radiocarbon sample falls within it.

BP (Before Present)

A time scale in radiocarbon dating counting back from 1950 CE.

BCE (Before Common Era)

A secular designation for years before the Common Era, equivalent to BC (Before Christ).

CE (Common Era)

A secular designation for years of the Common Era, equivalent to AD (anno domini).

Year Zero

A non-existent year in the BCE/CE calendar system; years transition directly from 1 BCE to 1 CE.

Calibration Curve Refinement

The use of natural archives like corals, varves, and tree rings, which contain carbon isotopes, to improve the accuracy of the radiocarbon calibration curve.

Atmospheric carbon

The total carbon present in the Earth's atmosphere, influencing C-14 levels and thus radiocarbon dating calibration.

Potassium/Argon Dating

A dating method that determines the age of inorganic volcanic rocks by measuring the decay of potassium-40 to argon-40.

Archaeomagnetic Dating

A dating method that uses changes in the Earth's magnetic field, recorded in fired archaeological materials like hearths or kilns.

Migration of Anatomically Modern Humans

The global dispersal of Homo sapiens out of Africa, supported by fossil, artifact, and genetic evidence.

Northern Route (out of Africa)

A hypothetical migration path for early humans from East sub-Saharan Africa across the Sahara, through Sinai, and into the Levant.

Southern Route (out of Africa)

A hypothetical migration path for early humans from the Horn of Africa across the Bab el-Mandeb strait into Yemen and around the Arabian peninsula.

Bab el-Mandeb strait

A narrow, shallow channel between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula, proposed as a gateway for early human migration.

Humid corridor

Periods of wetter climate in North Africa (e.g., in Chad and Libya) that created large lakes and green pathways across the Sahara, facilitating human migration.

Beringia Route

A proposed migration route for the peopling of the Americas across a land bridge that connected Asia and North America during glaciations.

Pacific Coastal Route

A proposed migration route for the peopling of the Americas along the Pacific coast, possibly using watercraft.

First Australians

The earliest human inhabitants of Australia, with evidence dating back to at least 46,000 years ago (e.g., Lake Mungo).

Austronesia

A cultural and linguistic sphere encompassing maritime peoples who expanded across Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Madagascar, known for their seafaring and agriculture.

Neolithic Revolution

A widespread and fundamental change in human culture characterized by the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and permanent settlement.

Diffusion of agriculture

The spread of farming practices, domesticated plants, and animals from their centers of origin to other regions globally.

Ancient Sumerian Civilization

An early civilization that emerged in Iraq around 4000 BCE, recognized for its development of cities, states, and writing.

Shang Dynasty

An early Chinese dynasty (1523-1028 BCE) known for its Bronze Age culture, organized state, and oracle bone inscriptions.