Definition

1. Noun:
   • A refuse heap; a dunghill: A "midden" is a pile of waste, dung, or domestic refuse.
   • (Archaeology) A prehistoric refuse heap: In archaeology, a "midden" is a mound marking an ancient settlement site, containing shells, animal bones, tools, and other domestic debris.

Examples of Usage

• General Noun:
  • The farmer cleared the midden behind the barn.
  • A foul smell rose from the midden.
• Archaeological Noun:
  • The excavation of the shell midden revealed details about the diet of early inhabitants.
  • This coastal midden contains layers of oyster shells and fish bones.

Advanced Usage

• Kitchen midden: A specific term, now largely historical, for a prehistoric refuse heap containing domestic waste, especially food remains like shells and bones.
  • The term "kitchen midden" was coined by 19th-century archaeologists.

Variants and Related Words

• Middenstead (n, archaic): A site where a midden is located; a farmyard.
• Middening (n, rare): The act of creating or adding to a midden.

Synonyms

• Dunghill: A heap of dung or manure.
• Dump: A site for depositing waste.
• Mound (in archaeological context): A heap of earth and artifacts.
• Refuse heap: A pile of discarded material.

Related Phrases

• Midden archaeology: The study of ancient refuse deposits to understand past human activity and environment.
  • Midden archaeology provides clues about ancient diets and trade.

Noun

1. a heap of dung or refuse
2. (archeology) a mound of domestic refuse containing shells and animal bones marking the site of a prehistoric settlement