All evidence (physical or informational) of past human activity.
Archaeology
The study of past human behaviour through material remains.
Artifact
A portable object that was made or modified and used by humans.
Atlatl
A spear throwing tool used by Indigenous people which acts as an extension of an arm, allowing a spear to be thrown further and with more force.
Avocational archaeologist
An individual who is not a professionally trained archaeologist but has a interest in the field and contributes by recording sites, preserving collections, and/or working with museums
Before Present (BP)
This method of displaying archaeological ages pertains to the years prior to the invention of radiocarbon dating in 1950. For example, a date may be displayed as 3500 BP (3500 years before 1950).
Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
A professional sector centered on the practice of managing archaeological heritage. In Saskatchewan, private companies operate within this sector, and are hired prior to land development to complete heritage resource impact assessments (HRIA).
Faunal remains
Animal remains found in archaeological sites. This can include bones, hide, hair, etc.
Feature
A non-portable object or modifications to the landscape that was created by humans. Examples include building foundations, hearth/fire pits, tipi rings, etc.
Flintknapping
The practice of making stone tools by removing flakes from a core and shaping the stone.
Lithic
Pertaining to or made of stone.
Postcontact
A time period beginning after the arrival of Europeans in North America around 1492.
Precontact
The time period prior to colonization that dates back to time immemorial. Archaeological evidence for this period exceeds 12,000 years before present. Also called the Precolonial.
Professional archaeologist
An individual who is a trained archaeologist with a post-secondary degree (usually a Bachelors). In Saskatchewan, those wishing to take out permits for archaeological excavations require a minimum of a Masters degree from an accredited institution.
