Global Prehistory Vocab

anthropomorphic

attributing human characteristics or qualities to objects, animals, or gods

art mobilier

small, movable art objects, especially primitive or prehistoric works of art.

Bushel/beaker

container for liquids

composite view/twisted perspective

A convention of representation in which part of a figure is shown in profile and another part of the same figure is shown frontally

cong

a tubular object with a circular hole cut into a square-like cross section

heel stone

The monolith set outside the stone circle of Stonehenge along an axis which marked the rising of the sun on June 21st the mid-summer solstice.

henge

An arrangement of megalithic stones in a circle, often surrounded by a ditch.

hierarchy of scale

An artistic convention in which greater size indicates greater importance.

ibex

wild goat

megalith

huge stone

Menhir

A large upright standing stone

mortise and tenon joint

A joinery technique where the cut end (tenon) from one stone fits into the matching opening (mortise) of another.

Neolithic

The period of the Stone Age associated with the ancient Agricultural Revolution. It follows the Paleolithic period.

post and lintel construction

in architecture, a horizontal beam supported by a post at either end

paleolithic

The period of the Stone Age associated with the evolution of humans. It predates the Neolithic period.

registers/friezes

bands of a pictorial narrative, or the particular levels on which motifs are placed

Sacrum

bone formed from five vertebrae fused together near the base of the spinal column

Sarsens

the largest stones at Stonehenge that form the U-shaped inner ring as well as the larger circular ring of sandstone megaliths; they were transported to the site from about 20 miles away

scaffold

holes that were carved into the cave walls to support early people who were painting on walls

Scarification

The intentional creation of scars on some part or parts of the body, often done as part of an initiation ceremony.

Shamanism

The practice of identifying special individuals (shamans) who will interact with spirits for the benefit of the community.

Stele

A carved stone slab used to mark graves or to commemorate historical events.

Stratigraphic archaeology

recording precisely each level and location of all objects

trilithons

A pair of monoliths topped with a lintel; found in megalithic structures.

Zoomorphic

having elements of animal shapes