Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (58 page)
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Authors: Timothy Darvill
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axe-hammer
[Ar].
[Ar].
A large and usually heavy kind of perforated stone axe with a broad flat butt at one end, a tapered blade at the other, and a shaft-hole towards the butt end. The stone examples found in Neolithic and early Bronze Age contexts in northwestern Europe are probably copies of copper and bronze examples current at the time in central Europe. Their purpose is unknown. See also
BATTLE-AXE
.
BATTLE-AXE
.
Ayampitín points
[Ar].
[Ar].
Bifacially worked stone missile tips of willow-leaf outline found among archaic hunter-gatherer communities of the Peruvian highlands and coasts in 9000–7000 bc. Typical examples are 60–70mm long.
Aylesford–Swarling Culture
[CP].
[CP].
Late La Tène regional culture in southeastern England, named after two cemeteries in Kent, and conventionally associated with immigrants of the 1st century
bc
from Belgic Gaul. Innovations of the period include the introduction of coinage and of wheel-thrown pottery, including characteristic jars with pedestal bases and cordon ornament, platters, cups, and beakers. There were imports of Italic-type bronzes as well as wine amphorae from continental Europe, and this continued after the Roman conquest of Gaul with the import of Gaulish and Arretine wares.
bc
from Belgic Gaul. Innovations of the period include the introduction of coinage and of wheel-thrown pottery, including characteristic jars with pedestal bases and cordon ornament, platters, cups, and beakers. There were imports of Italic-type bronzes as well as wine amphorae from continental Europe, and this continued after the Roman conquest of Gaul with the import of Gaulish and Arretine wares.
Azilian
[CP].
[CP].
A late upper Palaeolithic industry of northern Spain and southwest France dating to the period 9000 to 8000 bc named after the site of Le Mas D'Azil near Toulouse on the French side of the Pyrenees. The industry is characterized by microlithic tools, notably the so-called Azilian point, which is a kind of double-pointed backed blade. Flat perforated and barbed harpoons of red-deer antler are also known. Azilian communities also had small schist pebbles covered in red dots or stripes. Of unknown purpose, such objects are also found amongst the material culture of communities further east in Italy and Switzerland.
azimuth
[Ge].
[Ge].
A compass bearing taken from true north. An azimuth of 90 degrees is due east, 180 degrees due south, etc.
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