Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (135 page)

BOOK: Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology
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Charentian
[CP].
One of the principal subdivisions of the
MOUSTERIAN
, defined by François Bordes and colleagues as having a predominance of side scrapers, relatively few handaxes, and retouched blades. Two subdivisions of the Charentian were recognized: the Quina and the Ferrassie. Overall, the Charentian is found across Europe and Russia where it is associated with Neanderthal remains. It is believed to date to the period 200000 to 170000 years ago, contemporary with the penultimate glacial period in Europe.
chariot
[Ar].
A light two-wheeled war vehicle usually carrying a warrior and a driver pulled by horses. Clumsy four-wheel prototypes drawn by four asses can be seen in the
URUK
period of Mesopotamia and are figured on the royal standard of
UR
. Lighter two-wheeled versions appear in the Near East in the 17th century
bc
associated with the
HYKSOS
,
KASSITES
, and
HURRIANS
. The
MYCENAEANS
adopted the chariot in Greece and from there such vehicles spread rapidly into other parts of Europe. In China, the earliest chariots date to the 13th century
bc
. The chariot revolutionized warfare by allowing the rapid movement of warriors from one part of a battlefield to another.
chariot burial
[MC].
The high status that seems to attach to the ownership and use of a chariot is reflected in the fact that some warriors (perhaps leaders) were buried with their vehicles. Graves containing chariots have been found in the Shang Dynasty of China from the mid 13th century
bc
, from the 7th century
bc
in Cyprus, from around 500 bc in the Rhineland of central Europe, and from the 4th century
bc
in eastern England (
ARRAS CULTURE
). See also
WAGON BURIAL
.
Charlemagne
[Na].
Charles I
[Na].
King of England from ad 1625, of the House of Stuart. Born 1600, second son of James I, he married Henrietta Maria , daughter of Henry IV of France. He was executed in 1649 aged 48, having reigned 23 years.

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