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Natural Science in Archaeology

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322 Glossary<br />

Lake A pigment consist<strong>in</strong>g of organic color<strong>in</strong>g matter with an <strong>in</strong>organic base or<br />

carrier.<br />

Lateritic Perta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to a highly weathered red soil, rich <strong>in</strong> the oxides of iron and<br />

alum<strong>in</strong>um.<br />

Levigate/levigation To rub or gr<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong>to a f<strong>in</strong>e powder.<br />

Lithology The description of rocks <strong>in</strong> hand specimens and <strong>in</strong> the field, on the basis<br />

of their m<strong>in</strong>eralogy, gra<strong>in</strong> size, color, etc.<br />

Lode A m<strong>in</strong>eral deposit <strong>in</strong> a host (consolidated) rock, as opposed to a placer<br />

deposit.<br />

Lum<strong>in</strong>escence The emission of light not caused by <strong>in</strong>candescence and occurr<strong>in</strong>g at<br />

a temperature below that of <strong>in</strong>candescence.<br />

Mafic Used to describe an igneous rock composed of dark-colored silicate m<strong>in</strong>erals<br />

high <strong>in</strong> iron and magnesium.<br />

Magma A naturally occurr<strong>in</strong>g molten rock material emanat<strong>in</strong>g from with<strong>in</strong> the<br />

earth. Magmas form igneous rocks when crystallized.<br />

Marl A term applied to earthy deposits composed of a mixture of clay and calcium<br />

carbonate, especially <strong>in</strong> lake deposits.<br />

Mastaba From the arabic word “bench,” this term describes an ancient Egyptian<br />

tomb with a rectangular base, slop<strong>in</strong>g sides, and a flat roof.<br />

Matte An unf<strong>in</strong>ished metallic product of the smelt<strong>in</strong>g of copper-iron sulfides; matt<br />

will conta<strong>in</strong> both copper and iron.<br />

Metasomatized Hav<strong>in</strong>g been subjected to nearly simultaneous dissolution of m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />

constituents and replacement by other m<strong>in</strong>erals of different chemical composition.<br />

Molassic A thick sedimentary sequence of soft sandstones, shales, and marls<br />

formed <strong>in</strong> a partly mar<strong>in</strong>e, partly cont<strong>in</strong>ental environment.<br />

Mordant Serv<strong>in</strong>g to fix colors <strong>in</strong> dye<strong>in</strong>g. A reagent such as tannic acid, used to fix<br />

color<strong>in</strong>g matter <strong>in</strong> textiles, leather or other materials.<br />

Neogene The later part of the Tertiary, consist<strong>in</strong>g of the Miocene and Pliocene.<br />

Netsuke A small Japanese toggle, used to fasten a purse or other article to a<br />

kimono.<br />

Nicols In a polariz<strong>in</strong>g microscope, the polariz<strong>in</strong>g prisms are called Nicols, after<br />

their <strong>in</strong>ventor.<br />

Nummulitic Adjective modify<strong>in</strong>g limestones that conta<strong>in</strong> abundant foram<strong>in</strong>ifer<br />

fossils of the nummulite variety.<br />

Oolite A sedimentary rock, usually a limestone, made up primarily of ooliths: also<br />

one of the ovoid particles of an oolite.

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