Unit 3 Test Vocab Flashcards
Mosaic Evolution
A pattern of evolution in which the rate of evolution in one functional system varies from that in other systems. (Ie. in hominin evolution, the dental system, locomotor system, and neurological system all evolved at markedly different rates.)
Culture
Behavioral aspects of human adaptation, including technology, traditions, language, religion, marriage patterns, and social roles; a set of learned behaviors transmitted from one generation to the next by nonbiological means.
Multidisciplinary
Pertaining to research involving mutual contributions and the cooperation of experts from various scientific fields, or disciplines.
Stable Carbon Isotopes
Isotopes of carbon that are produced in plants in differing proportions, depending on environmental conditions. By analyzing the proportions of the isotopes contained in fossil remains of animals
(who ate the plants), it’s possible to reconstruct aspects of ancient diet and environments (particularly temperature and aridity).
Artifacts
Objects or materials made or modified for use by hominins. The earliest artifacts are usually tools made of stone or occasionally bone.
Taphonomy
(taphos, meaning “tomb”)
The study of how bones and other materials
came to be buried in the earth and
preserved as fossils. Taphonomists study
the processes of sedimentation, the action
of streams, preservation properties of bone,
and carnivore disturbance factors.
Context
The environmental setting where an archaeological trace is found. Primary context is the setting in which the archaeological trace was originally deposited. A secondary context is one to which it has been moved (such as by the action of a stream).
Chronometric Dating
(chrono, meaning
“time,” and metric, meaning “measure”)
A dating technique that gives an estimate
in actual numbers of years; also known as
absolute dating
Stratigraphy
Study of the sequential layering of deposits
Principle of Superposition
In a stratigraphic sequence, the lower layers were
deposited before the upper layers. Or,
simply put, the stuff on top of a heap was
put there last.
Half-life
The time period in which one-half
the amount of a radioactive isotope is
converted chemically to a daughter
product. For example, after 1.25 billion
years, half the potassium-40 (40K) remains;
after 2.5 billion years, one-fourth remains.
Thermoluminescence (TL)
A technique for dating
certain archaeological materials (such as
stone tools) that were heated in the past
and that, upon reheating, release the
stored energy of radioactive decay as light.
Paleomagnetism
Dating method based on the earth’s shifting magnetic pole
Biostratigraphy
A relative dating technique based on the regular changes seen in evolving groups of animals as well as the presence or absence of particular species.
Blanks
In archaeology, stones suitably sized and shaped to be further worked into tools.
Flake
A thin-edged fragment removed from a core
Core
A stone reduced by flake removal. A core may or may not itself be used as a tool.
Lithic
Referring to stone tools
Knappers
People who make stone tools
Direct Percussion
Striking a core or flake with a hammerstone
Microliths
Small stone tools usually produced from narrow blades punched from a core; found especially in Africa during the latter part of the Pleistocene.
Pressure Flaking
A method of removing flakes from a core by pressing a pointed implement against the stone
Microwear
Polishes, striations, and other diagnostic microscopic changes on the edges of stone tools
Phytoliths
Microscopic silica structures formed in the cells of many plants, particularly grasses
Morphological
Pertaining to the form and structure of organisms
Habitual Bipedalism
Bipedal locomotion as the form of locomotion shown by hominins most of the time
Obligate Bipedalism
Bipedalism as the
only form of hominin terrestrial locomotion. Since major anatomical changes in the
spine, pelvis, and lower limbs are required
for bipedal locomotion, once hominins
adopted this mode of locomotion, other
forms of locomotion on the ground
became impossible
Honing Complex
The shearing of a large
upper canine with the first lower premolar,
with the wear leading to honing of the surfaces of both teeth. This anatomical pattern
is typical of most Old World anthropoids
but is mostly absent in hominins
Australopiths
A colloquial name referring to a diverse group of Plio-Pleistocene African hominins. Australopiths are the most abundant and widely distributed of all early hominins and are also the most completely studied.
Sectorial
Adapted for cutting or shearing; among primates, this term refers to
the compressed (side-to-side) first lower
premolar, which functions as a shearing
surface with the upper canine.
Sagittal CrestA ridge of bone that runs
down the middle of the cranium like a short
Mohawk. This serves as the attachment
for the large temporal muscles, indicating
strong chewing.
Endocast
A solid impression of the inside of the skull vault, often preserving details relating to the size and surface features of the brain
Nuchal Torus
A projection of bone in the back of
the cranium where neck muscles attach.
These muscles hold up the head.
Acheulian
Pertaining
to a stone tool industry from the Early and
Middle Pleistocene; characterized by a
large proportion of bifacial tools (flaked
on both sides). Acheulian tool kits are common in Africa, Southwest Asia, and western
Europe, but they’re thought to be less common elsewhere. Also spelled Acheulean.
Glaciations
Climatic intervals when continental ice sheets cover much of the northern continents. Glaciations are associated with colder temperatures in northern latitudes and more arid conditions in southern latitudes, most notably in Africa.
Interglacials
Climatic intervals when continental ice sheets are retreating, eventually becoming much reduced in size. Interglacials in northern latitudes are associated with warmer temperatures, while in southern latitudes the climate becomes wetter.
Flexed
The position of the body in a bent orientation, with arms and legs drawn up to the chest
Upper Paleolithic
A cultural period
usually not only associated with modern
humans but also found with some
Neandertals and distinguished by
technological innovation in various stone
tool industries. Best known from western
Europe, similar industries are also known
from central and eastern Europe and Africa.
Magdalenian
Pertaining to the final phase of the Upper Paleolithic stone tool industry in Europe
Burins
Small, chisel-like tools with a pointed end; thought to have been used to engrave bone, antler, ivory, or wood
