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