Glossary of Key Terms

Chapter 10: Homo sapiens and the Upper Paleolithic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

B

Blade technique
A technique of stone tool manufacture by which long, parallel-sided flakes are struck off the edges of a specially prepared core.

Burins
Stone tools with chisel-like edges used for working bone and antler.

C

Cognitive capacity
A broad concept including intel-ligence, educability, concept formation, self-awareness, self-evaluation, attention span, sensitivity in discrimination, and creativity.

Cro-Magnons
Europeans of the Upper Paleolithic after about 36 000 years ago.

E

Entoptic phenomena
Bright pulsating forms that are generated by the central nervous system and seen in states of trance.

H

Haplotype
A set of closely linked genes on a chromosome that tends to be inherited together as a unit.

M

Microlith
A small blade of flint or similar stone, several of which were hafted together in wooden handles to make tools; widespread in the Mesolithic and Epipaleolithic.

P

Paleoindians
The earliest inhabitants of North America.

Pressure flaking
A technique of stone tool manufacture in which a bone, antler, or wooden tool is used to press, rather than strike off small flakes from a piece of flint or similar stone.

S

Sinodont
The modern Northeast Asian populations typified by a high complexity of dental characteristics such as root number.

Sundadont
Southeast Asian populations with generalized features, particularly less elaborate dental characteristics than in the Sinodont pattern.

W

Wedge-shaped core
A stone core prepared to have a roughly triangular cross-section such that blades can be removed sequentially from one end.