Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (637 page)

A series of substantial stone-built forts along the southeast coast of England, usually at the entrance to large estuaries which served as harbours for attached naval units. The forts were created in response to repeated raids by Saxon pirates. Each fort had massive stone defences strengthened by projecting bastions and characterized by narrow gateways. A comprehensive coastal command developed with appropriate communications and administration. From north to south the Saxon Shore forts that have been recognized comprise: Brancaster (Norfolk); Burgh (Suffolk); Walton Castle (Suffolk); Bradwell upon Sea (Essex); Reculver (Kent); Richborough (Kent); Lympne (Kent); Pevensey (East Sussex); Porchester (Hampshire); Bitterne (Hampshire); and Carisbrooke (Isle of Wight). See
SAXON SHORE
.

 
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See
SCIENCE-BASED ARCHAEOLOGY COMMITTEE
.

 
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Leather, wooden, metal, or woven case in which a sword or rapier is kept when not in use. Most scabbards are provided with fittings so that they can be hung from a belt or sash; those for use by mounted cavalry will have a chape on the distal end that allows the scabbard to be held in place by the rider's foot while the sword is drawn.

 
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Fine flaking on the surfaces and edges of flint or stone artefacts that produces a finish that resembles the scales of a fish.

 
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See
MICROLITH
.

 
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High-powered indirect microscope that produces an image by bombarding a sample with a beam of high-energy electrons. The electrons emitted from the sample are then scanned to form a magnified image which allows the examination of the structure, relief, and morphology of materials at between 20× and 50000× magnification. In addition to its great magnification, the SEM also has a great depth of field. Most SEMs also have a facility to analyse the X-rays given off by the target as a result of its bombardment and, as each element in the periodic table produces its own X-ray spectrum, this can be used to determine the elemental content of the sample.

 
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