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A Grammar of the Archaeological Record (Version 2, Beta release)

Categorization

Special lexica

Giorgio Buccellati – June 2010, July 2025

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Introductory

[to be reconsidered]It is possible to have a special lexicon without a corresponding special roster. Such is for instance the case with the lexicon for beads given below (9.6). The reason is that the lexical variants apply to variable categories already found in the Main Roster. If so, the variant is given in the Main Roster, but is preceded by a lexical prefix that identifies the special lexicon – thus, for instance, a bead might be qualified through the lexical attribute ‘Zbdrt’ following the Main Roster category K4 (or sh) for shape. In this example, ‘Zbd’ identifies the special lexicon, and ‘rt’ stands for round tabular, according to the lexical definition given below.

As in the case of the Main Lexicon, the configuration of a lexicon contributes to an understanding of the structural make-up of given categories.

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Current special lexica

roster title author link to lexicon
Zbd bead analysis Mary Stancavage in progress
Zca ceramic analysis M. Kelly-Buccellati Ceramics
Zco object conservation -- in progress
Zcs site conservation B. Landini and Marta Lorenzon Conservation.
Zfa animal figurines Rick Hauser in progress
Zfh human figurines Yasmine Mahmoud Human figurines
Zme metal objects Sarah Comelli see below
Zmr main roster Giorgio Buccellati Main lexicon
Zpa physical anthropology Laura Ramos see below
Zsa sealings, aglyptic impressions C. K. Kimbrough Glyptics
Zsi seal impressions Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati Glyptics

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Zpa Physical anthropology (lexical prefix for special roster Zpa) – by L. Ramos

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

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Universal codes

04 unknown
05 other
06 left
07 right
08 distal
09 proximal
10 medial
11 lateral
12 anterior
13 posterior
14 ventral
15 dorsal
16 palmar
17 shaft (diaphysis)
18 epiphyses
19 left
20 right
21 inferior
22 superior

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Zpa1 Identification

hs human skeleton articulated
hi human bones isolated

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Zpa2 Skeletal analysis

Ma Male
Fe Female
Sk Skull
Fh Femoral head diameter
   
Ft Fetal (before birth)
If Infant (0-3 years)
Ao Adolescent (12-20 years)
Ad Adult (20-35 years)
Ma Middle adult (35-50 years)
Oa Old adult (50+ years)
   
bs Bass 1995
mc McKern and Stewart 1957
kg Krogman 1962
pr Pearson 1917-1919
tg Trotter and Gleser 1952
sw Schwartz 1995
fr Ferembach et al. 1980
lh Loth and Henneberg 1996
ki Krogman and Iscan 1986
ph Phenice 1969
sb Suchey and Brooks 1990
lj Lovejoy et al. 1985
ml Meindl and Lovejoy 1985
mi Miles 1962
tr Trotter 1970
fn Feldesman et al. 1990
hp Hoppa 1992
gw Gowland 1998
sm Smith 1991
mf Moorrees, Fanning and Hunt 1963
by Byers et al. 1989

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Zpa3 Trauma

bf blunt force
cm compression fracture
fr fracture
sf sharp force
ds dislocation
ad artificial deformation
te trephination
am amputation

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Zpa4 Pathology

os osteomyelitis
pr periostitis
tb tuberculosis
tr treponema
ph porotic hyperstosis
rk rickets
ot osteoarthritis of spine
ob osteoarthritis of joints
cr carious lesion, dental
eh enamel hypoplasia
pd peridontal disease
ta tooth abscess

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Zpa5 Muscular-skeletal markers and stress

pm pectoralis major
tm teres major
dt deltoid
su supinator
ra biceps brachii
gt greater trochanter, gluteus min and medius
lt lesser trochanter, iliopsoas tendon and psoas major
la linea aspera, vastus muscle and adductors
pt patella, tendon of quadriceps femoris
tt tibial tuberosity, quadriceps femoris
pp tibia popliteal line
at calcaneal tuber, achilles tendon
3t presence of third trochanter, gluteus maximus
bb brachialis
cc costoclavicular ligament
sl spiral line femor, vastus medialis

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Zpa6 Inventory

00 absent
01 <25% present
02 25-75% present
03 >75% present

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Zpa7: Preservation

gd good: >75% cortical bone present
fr fair: 25-75% cortical bone present
pr poor: <25% cortical bone present

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Zpa8 Burial type

sm simple pit
mp multiple pit
sb simple built tomb
mb multiple built tomb
sj simple jar
mj multiple jar
ot other

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Zpa9 Body position

su supine
sf semi-flexed
fx flexed
ss sharply flexed

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Zme Metals (lexical prefix for special roster Zme) – by S. Comelli

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

TEXT TO BE UPDATED - ZH624 mDP

ma metal artifact Generic term (also category) for any item made from metal.
sg slagResidue from metal smelting often found as tiny green particles.
ar arrowheadPointed metal object, often molded, hafted onto a thin wooden shaft and launched by a bow.
ax ax Fist-sized metal object with a sharpened edge used for chopping, hafted onto a wood shaft.
bd-m metal bead Bead made of metal instead of stone.
coin coin Small metal disk of precious metal,usually decorated, that serves as a medium of exchange.
mace mace Ceremonial staff carried by public officials. Head is often decorated. Shaft often wood.
je jewelry item Metal object fashoned to adorn or decorate the human body, e.g., bracelet.
pendant-m metal pendant Metal central element of a necklace or bracelet.
pi pin Long, thin metal object used to fasten garments.
spoon spoon Metal object similar in form and function to modern object with the same name.
sc sculpture Molded metal object that accurately depicts a specific diety, human, or animal, (contrast and compare with a figurine made in clay).
spd spearhead Pointed molded metal object, larger than an arrowhead, hafted onto a long shaft, and designed for thrusting.
str-m metal strainer Small can with holes fitted on the end of a hollow reed thst filters out solids from sipped liquids.
to-m metal tool Item fashioned from metal that assists in the performance of a repetative task.

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