Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (714 page)

The name which the Incas gave to their empire. It means the ‘four inextricably linked quarters’.

 
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Egyptian goddess of childbirth who symbolized maternity and suckling. She is usually represented as a female hippopotamus with pendant mammae standing upright on her back legs and holding the hieroglyphic sign of protection, a plait of rolled papyrus. Also seen as an avenging deity. Equal to the Greek Thoeris.

 
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An ordered set of operations that results in the objective classification or labelling of objects, and other kinds of material culture, into discrete units or
taxa. Such ordered classification is based on visible or scientifically etermined similarities and carefully defined traits. Taxonomy provides the basis for the organization of most archaeological materials. See also
TYPOLOGY
.

 
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Taylour , Lord William Desmond
(1904–89)
[Bi].

British archaeologist well known for his work in Greece. Born in Ireland and educated at Harrow, he was the second son of the fourth Marquess of Headfort. After careers in banking and interior design in New York, and war service in North Africa, he studied archaeology and anthropology at Trinity College, Cambridge, before completing a Ph.D. on Mycenaean pottery in Italy. His career as excavator started during the 1950s, and after
ALAN WACE'S
death in 1957 he took over and completed the British expedition to Mycenae. He excavated at Hagios Stephanos in Laconia between 1959 and 1977.
[Obit.:
Antiquaries Journal
, 70 (1990), 526]

 
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tazza
(pl.
tazzae
)
[Ar].

A cup-like vessel, usually in a light-coloured fabric, with a stem and foot, decorated with bands of frilling. The frequent occurrence of signs of burning on the inner surface of such vessels indicates their possible use as lamps. May have been used in religious rituals.

 
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The application of knowledge to facilitate the obtaining and transformation of natural materials. Technology involves the creation of material instruments (such as machines) used in human interactions with nature.

 
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