eitchen midden

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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • (Archaeology) A mound of domestic refuse containing shells and animal bones marking the site of a prehistoric settlement: An "eitchen midden" is a specific type of archaeological feature, essentially an ancient rubbish heap. It is composed primarily of discarded food remains, especially shells and animal bones, which accumulated over time near a human settlement, providing crucial evidence about the diet and lifestyle of prehistoric communities.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The archaeologists excavated the eitchen midden to learn about the dietary habits of the Neolithic people.
    • The presence of a large eitchen midden indicated that the site had been occupied for a long period.
Advanced Usage
  • As a key archaeological context: The term is used specifically in archaeological reports and discussions to describe a primary source of faunal and environmental data.
    • Analysis of the eitchen midden revealed a shift from hunting to more shellfish gathering over time.
Variants and Related Words
  • Shell midden (n): A more common and general synonym for "eitchen midden," focusing on the shell component.
    • The shell midden contained layers of oyster and clam shells.
  • Midden (n): A broader term for any old or prehistoric dump for domestic waste, which may include an eitchen midden.
    • The midden yielded pottery shards and charcoal along with food remains.
Synonyms
  • Kitchen midden: An alternative and more modern spelling for "eitchen midden."
  • Refuse heap: A general term for a pile of waste.
  • Dump: A place where waste is deposited.
Notes on the Word
  • Etymology: The word "eitchen" is an archaic Scots form of the word "kitchen." Therefore, "eitchen midden" literally means "kitchen dump" or "kitchen refuse heap."
  • Modern Preference: In contemporary archaeological literature, the terms "shell midden" or simply "midden" are more frequently used than the archaic "eitchen midden."
Noun
  1. (archeology) a mound of domestic refuse containing shells and animal bones marking the site of a prehistoric settlement

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