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Natural Science in Archaeology

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Glossary<br />

Alloy<strong>in</strong>g The process of chemically comb<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g two or more metals.<br />

Amphibole A group of dark-colored alum<strong>in</strong>um silicate m<strong>in</strong>erals conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g magnesium,<br />

iron, and calcium or sodium. Amphiboles are significant constituents of<br />

silicic igneous rocks as well as some metamorphic rocks. The most common amphibole<br />

is hornblende.<br />

Anisotropy The condition of hav<strong>in</strong>g different properties <strong>in</strong> different directions.<br />

Anorthosite An essentially monom<strong>in</strong>eralic <strong>in</strong>trusive igneous rock composed of<br />

calcic plagioclase.<br />

Aphanitic An igneous rock texture <strong>in</strong> which the gra<strong>in</strong>s are too small to dist<strong>in</strong>guish<br />

with the unaided eye.<br />

Argillite A compact sedimentary rock, derived either from mudstone or shale, that<br />

is well-<strong>in</strong>durated and non-fissile.<br />

Bauxitic Conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g much bauxite – a product of tropical weather<strong>in</strong>g that is rich <strong>in</strong><br />

hydrous alum<strong>in</strong>um oxides and alum<strong>in</strong>um hydroxides.<br />

Bloomery The first forge (for hammer<strong>in</strong>g) <strong>in</strong> iron work<strong>in</strong>g after the smelt<strong>in</strong>g process.<br />

Botryoidal Hav<strong>in</strong>g the form of a bunch of grapes.<br />

Br<strong>in</strong>e A geological term for hot sal<strong>in</strong>e fluids <strong>in</strong> restricted bas<strong>in</strong>s that conta<strong>in</strong> Ca,<br />

Na, K, and Cl.<br />

Calcareous Perta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to a rock that conta<strong>in</strong>s a significant percentage but less than<br />

50% calcium carbonate.<br />

Calc<strong>in</strong>ed Heated to the temperature of chemical dissociation, e.g., heat<strong>in</strong>g limestone<br />

to form CaO + CO 2 .<br />

Campanian The middle Upper Cretaceous<br />

Cast Iron An alloy of primarily iron and carbon.<br />

Cation A positively charged ion such as Fe 2+ or Al 3+ .<br />

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