Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (211 page)

An ornament consisting of a series of pyramidal flowers of four petals, typical of 13th century
ad
work.

 
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Term to describe cases where the cephalic index (greatest breadth expressed as a percentage of maximum length) of a human skull is below 75 per cent. See also
BRACHYCEPHALIC
.

 
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A traditional French term for any kind of megalithic chambered tomb. Formerly used occasionally in England but now obsolete except in the name
PORTAL DOLMEN
.

 
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A survey of landholdings made after the Norman conquest. At a council held in Gloucester at Christmas ad 1085 it was decided to record the number of
HIDES
of land existing in each English shire and assess the amount and value of acreage and livestock possessed by individual landowners. The resulting survey is arranged under tenurial rather than territorial headings. More than 13000 pre-existing
VILLS
are recorded. It provides a fundamentally important source for historians and archaeologists investigating the early medieval period.

 
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A general term used to refer to the biological manipulation of the production and reproduction of plants and animals by early agriculturalists. This appears to have been achieved through selective breeding so that desirable traits might be encouraged. As a result, dependence on hunting and gathering was reduced.

 
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A religious order of friars, known as Black Friars, introduced in the early 13th century
ad
and concerned to maintain the faith and convert the infidel.

 
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