Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (208 page)
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Authors: Timothy Darvill
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Diocletian
[Na].
[Na].
A Dalmatian soldier elected emperor of Rome by the army in ad 284. With the aid of a military junta he reconstructed the Roman empire after the disasters of the 260s and 270s. He reorganized the civil and army administration to take account of the increasing complexities of government. In ad 305 he resigned his position to his deputy for a period of retirement. He died
c.
.ad 316.
c.
.ad 316.
Diodorus Siculus
[Na].
[Na].
Greek historian who wrote a book called
World history
sometime between 60 bc and 30 bc. This account included descriptions of the Celts and the Gauls which were largely based on descriptions provided by earlier writers including Posidonius .
World history
sometime between 60 bc and 30 bc. This account included descriptions of the Celts and the Gauls which were largely based on descriptions provided by earlier writers including Posidonius .
diolchos
[De].
[De].
Literally, the ‘dray(way) across’, used for the portage of ships across the Isthmus of Corinth. Invented by Periander in the 7th century
bc
, the technique involved hauling ships on a carriage running in grooves cut on a stone track across the Isthmus, thus avoiding the dangers of a long sea journey round the southern promontories of the Peloponnese.
bc
, the technique involved hauling ships on a carriage running in grooves cut on a stone track across the Isthmus, thus avoiding the dangers of a long sea journey round the southern promontories of the Peloponnese.
direct historical approach
[Th].
[Th].
A methodology developed in the USA during the 1930s by W. D. Strong and others whereby knowledge relating to historical periods is extended back into earlier times. This involves taking a site for which there are historical accounts relating to recent periods of occupation and then excavating it to establish continuity back into prehistoric times. The historical data then becomes the basis of
ANALOGY
and
HOMOLOGY
for the study of the prehistoric communities at the site itself and other sites in the region. The main problem with the approach is of course that in many parts of the world there is no direct continuity between historically documented communities and the prehistoric occupants of the region.
ANALOGY
and
HOMOLOGY
for the study of the prehistoric communities at the site itself and other sites in the region. The main problem with the approach is of course that in many parts of the world there is no direct continuity between historically documented communities and the prehistoric occupants of the region.
dirk
[Ar].
[Ar].
disarticulated burial
[De].
[De].
A human burial in which the skeletal material has become disordered and jumbled. This is often the result of
EXCARNATION
, disinterment, or the movement of body parts after decomposition of the corpse.
EXCARNATION
, disinterment, or the movement of body parts after decomposition of the corpse.
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