This fact sheet is a glossary. It contains definitions of several terms related to sedentarization.
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WORDS |
DEFINITIONS |
|---|---|
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Archaeologist |
A specialist in the search for ancient objects, documents, relics, etc. |
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Life expectancy |
Represents the average lifespan of a person belonging to a generation. Various factors are taken into account when estimating the life expectancy of a generation, such as the quality of health services offered in the country. |
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Fertile (soil) |
Land suitable for agriculture. |
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Fortification |
A wall surrounding a town to protect it. Can also be used to describe all the buildings used to defend a territory. |
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Pit |
Hole in the ground dug to bury several bodies in the same place. This is an inexpensive way of burying the dead, but it does not allow the identity of the deceased to be preserved. |
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Men |
The capital "Man" means humanity (men, women and children). |
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Humanism |
All human beings. |
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Neolithic |
Historical period from around 10,000 to 3,500 BC. The Neolithic period is also known as the ‘age of polished stone’, in reference to the first polished (shiny and soft) stones worked by man. |
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Nomadic |
One that must constantly move in order to survive, usually in order to follow its food source. |
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Paleolithic |
Historical period that begins with the appearance of man 3 million years ago and ends around 10,000 BC. This is the first period of prehistory. Means "ancient stone age". |
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Prehistory |
Generally defined as the period during which man has left no written traces. It therefore begins with the appearance of man (around 3 million years ago) and ends with the beginnings of writing or engraving (between 5000 and 3500 BC according to various sources). Not all commoners or people began writing at the same time. |
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Primary sector |
Economic sector covering the exploitation of natural resources (fishing, forestry, mining, hydroelectricity, agriculture). |
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Secondary sector |
Economic sector covering processing (manufacturing, agri-food, pulp and paper, etc.). |
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Tertiary sector |
Also known as the services sector. Economic sector including banking and finance, tourism, commerce, administration, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. |
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Sedentary |
A person or group who settles permanently in a territory. |
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Sedentarization |
The act of moving from a nomadic state (moving from one place to another) to a sedentary state (remaining in a fixed place) in reference to a group or population. |
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Burial sites |
The place where a dead person is buried. A burial site may also contain various objects depending on the funeral rite. |
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The average number of children per woman in a given area. |
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Basket weaving |
Artisan who makes woven baskets from plant fibres. |
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Remains |
Remains of something destroyed or gone. Synonymous with ruin. |
The concepts covered in these factsheets go beyond those taught in secondary school. They provide additional information for those who are curious to know more.