Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (270 page)

 
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An approach that explains social phenomena in terms of their integrative relationships and contributions to the maintenance of society, or to the needs of individuals, rather than in terms of causation. Implicit to such thinking is the notion that a social institution within a society has a function in fulfilling some or all of the needs of another part of the social organism. Thus, in a manner analogous to examining the human body, the form of one part can be explained by its functional relationship to other parts.

 
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Type based on cultural use or function rather than on outward form or chronological position.

 
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A belief in returning to the literal meanings of scriptural texts.

 
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See
TRICHTERBECKER CULTURE
.

 
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Decoration made by drawing the fingers or a tool across the body of a vessel, resulting in either a series of horizontal grooves or random groups of striations.

 
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A distinctive tradition of rich graves beneath round barrows (tumuli) of the early La Tène period in the Rhineland. The graves typically contain a range of exotic grave goods including items imported from southern Europe, as well as fine examples of local craftsmanship. The German word literally means ‘chieftain’s grave'.

 
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