Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (601 page)

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Authors: Timothy Darvill

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relieving-arch
[Co].

An arch built as part of a solid wall to take the weight of the construction above by diverting it away from weak points such as doors and windows lower down.

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reliquary
[Ar].

A specially constructed case or box in which relics were stored or exhibited. Because of the importance and significance of the
RELICS
themselves many reliquaries are extremely ornate and constructed with the lavish use of rare and precious materials.

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remnant magnetism
[Te].

See
ARCHAEOMAGNETIC DATING
.

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remote sensing
[Te].

General term referring to a group of techniques used for the detection of hidden archaeological features. See
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
,
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
.

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rendering
[Ge].

A coating of clay, plaster, or a lime–sand mix applied to an external stone, brick, or timber wall face to create a relatively smooth surface and make it weatherproof.

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rendzina soil
[Ge].

A relatively thin soil consisting of an almost black calcareous mull humus formed entirely of worm casts lying on relatively unaltered calcareous rock. Erosion caused by the movement of groundwater widens cracks in the underlying bedrock to allow plant roots to penetrate into the subsoil and strata beneath.

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Renenutet
(Ernutet)
[Di].

Egyptian serpent goddess who was the protectress of the harvest and of agriculture in general.

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