Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (435 page)
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Authors: Timothy Darvill
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Middle Period
[CP].
[CP].
Chronological subdivision proposed by Roy Carlson for the early hunter-gatherer traditions in the northwest coast of North America, broadly covering the period 3500 bc to ad 500. During the Middle Period the cultural diversity that prevailed in the preceding Early Period gave way to greater homogeneity. This can be explained in terms of a more stable environment and through the development of extensive exchange networks.
middle range theory
[De].
[De].
A term developed in sociology by Robert K. Merton in the late 1940s as a way of connecting high-level social theory with empirically observable patterns. Similarly, in archaeology, it has become a way of seeking accurate means for identifying and measuring specified properties of past cultural systems. The emphasis is on trying to understand how the archaeological record was formed, what survives, why things survive, and how the record can be interpreted. As such it stands between high-level social theory (e.g.
HERMENEUTICS
) and low-level general laws or principles (e.g.
STRATIGRAPHY
). It may also be seen as a bridging argument that connects what is observed in the archaeological record with reasonable interpretations of those observations.
HERMENEUTICS
) and low-level general laws or principles (e.g.
STRATIGRAPHY
). It may also be seen as a bridging argument that connects what is observed in the archaeological record with reasonable interpretations of those observations.
middle Stone Age
[CP].
[CP].
middle Woodland
[CP].
[CP].
Chronological sub-division of the Woodland Stage in North America, broadly the period between
c.
200 bc and ad 400. During this time most of the area was dominated by the
HOPEWELLIAN CULTURE
, although to the southeast there lived a variety of hunter-gatherer societies who also engaged in some limited plant cultivation.
c.
200 bc and ad 400. During this time most of the area was dominated by the
HOPEWELLIAN CULTURE
, although to the southeast there lived a variety of hunter-gatherer societies who also engaged in some limited plant cultivation.
Midland Tradition
[CP].
[CP].
Late Palaeo-Indian hunter-gatherer communities who flourished in the period
c.
8700–8400 bc on the plains of North America. Characterized by distinctive hollow-based projectile points of similar outline to
FOLSOM POINTS
but lacking the central flute.
c.
8700–8400 bc on the plains of North America. Characterized by distinctive hollow-based projectile points of similar outline to
FOLSOM POINTS
but lacking the central flute.
midrib
[De].
[De].
A thickening along the central part of a bronze blade to strengthen it.
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