Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (621 page)

Royal Commissions on ancient and historical monuments were established for England (Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England), Wales (Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales), and Scotland (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland) in the early years of the 20th century to create definitive records of the archaeological sites and monuments in their respective areas. This was mainly achieved by publishing highly detailed county inventories. The functions of the Royal Commissions have developed considerably since their inception. The most recent Royal Warrants for each Commission, given in 1992, require that they provide for the survey and recording of ancient and historical monuments and constructions by compiling, maintaining, and curating a national record of the archaeological and historical environment. In 2000 the English Royal Commission was closed down and its duties and responsibilities transferred to English Heritage.

 
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The UK's national academy of science, founded in ad 1660, the Royal Society is one of the oldest scientific societies in Europe. Covering all scientific disciplines, the Society has 1300 peer-elected Fellows and represents the interests of top-quality science and technology in its interactions with government, the public, and the media. Fellowship of the Society carries the distinction FRS.

 
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See
RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLE
.

 
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A small bun-shaped block of coarse stone used as the upper stone in a
SADDLE QUERN
or for grinding and crushing seeds or plant material in a bone basin or mortar.

 
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Substantial upright stone block or slab, sometimes roughly shaped to a square or rectangular cross-section, set upright in the middle of fields from late medieval times onwards for livestock, especially cattle, to rub themselves again.

 
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One of the great archaeological misnomers. Pits were very rarely dug for the purpose of rubbish disposal; rather pits initially used for storage or ceremonial purposes were later used as convenient places for burning rubbish. It is this secondary use which is encountered archaeologically when such structures are excavated.

 
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