Word: Clovis Culture
Definition:
The Clovis culture refers to a prehistoric group of people who lived in North America around 13,000 years ago. They are known for making special tools, especially sharp stone points called projectile points, which were used for hunting. These points were often made from materials like obsidian (a type of volcanic glass) or chalcedony (a type of quartz).
Usage Instructions:
- You would use "Clovis culture" when discussing ancient peoples, archaeology, or history, particularly in the context of North America.
Example Sentence:
"The discovery of Clovis culture artifacts has helped scientists learn more about how early humans lived and hunted in North America."
Advanced Usage:
In academic discussions, you might say, "The Clovis culture is significant in understanding the migration patterns of early humans across the Americas."
Word Variants:
- Clovis (adjective): You might say "Clovis points" to refer specifically to the tool points made by this culture.
Different Meaning:
The term "Clovis" can also refer to a historical figure, King Clovis I, who was a leader of the Franks in the early medieval period. However, in the context of archaeology, it specifically refers to the culture mentioned above.
Synonyms:
- Prehistoric culture - Paleo-American culture
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While "Clovis culture" does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might encounter phrases related to archaeology or ancient cultures in general. For example, "dig up the past" means to discover or learn about history.
Summary:
The Clovis culture is an important part of understanding human history in North America, particularly for its unique tools and techniques used by early hunters.