Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (262 page)

North American Palaeo-Indian cultures occupying the Great Plains and adjacent areas of the west and southwest, and extending east of the Mississippi into the Great Lakes area and across to New Jersey, during the period 9000–8000 bc. Believed to have developed from the Clovis Culture, Folsom is characterized by its fluted projectile points (generally rather smaller than Clovis points).
Most known Folsom Tradition sites are kill sites where bison have been slaughtered and butchered. Some kill sites contain the remains of up to 50 beasts. A more substantial site at Hanson, Wyoming, has evidence of three hardstandings which may have been the sites of houses. In addition to bison remains, bones of mountain sheep, deer, marmot, and cotton-tail rabbit illustrate the diversity of species exploited by groups within this tradition.

 
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Tanged points with leaf-shaped blades of plano-convex section. Only worked extensively on one face. Dated to Perigordian Phase V in France.

 
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Type of early Bronze Age pot found in northern Britain and Ireland from the period 1800 to 1200 bc. The name derives from an antiquarian suggestion that these pits were intended to hold food for the deceased's journey into the afterlife, just as
BEAKERS
were thought to hold drink. Heavily decorated, food vessels are either biconical or bowl-shaped, usually in fine fabrics. They are mainly associated with cremation burials, and in some cases represent part of a set of grave goods that also includes plano-convex knives and necklaces of jet beads.

 
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The lowest part of the foundations of a stone wall, typically loose rubble or gravel spread in the bottom of a construction trench that is a little wider than the wall built on top will eventually be.

 
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A low pedestal-like ring formed on the base of a vessel to enable it to stand more securely.

 
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Archaeological reconnaissance on foot, often with a set interval between members of the survey team. Also known as a walk-over survey.

 
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