Macula (archaeology)
Encyclopedia
Macula is a term used by archaeologists
to describe small two-dimensional features of ancient human origin visible on an aerial photograph, such as points, spots or patches, which may represent features such as burial places, pits, Grubenhäuser
(homesteads with sunken floors), constructions based on posthole
or features above ground level. Maculae are differentiated from other features visible in aerial photographs such as enclosures, linear features and linear systems, which include path, roads, boundaries or limits. Identification and interpretation of maculae in air photographs is difficult and depends upon the experience of the observer, who has to take factors such as shape, size, relative position or proximity to other maculae, ground condition and knowledge of cultural practices of ancient humans in the region under observation.
The term is used in a different context in art on objects where it refers to the mesh of a net (in singular), or its depiction, the plural being maculae.
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
to describe small two-dimensional features of ancient human origin visible on an aerial photograph, such as points, spots or patches, which may represent features such as burial places, pits, Grubenhäuser
Grubenhaus
A Grubenhaus is a type of sunken floored building built in many parts of northern Europe between the 5th and 12th centuries AD...
(homesteads with sunken floors), constructions based on posthole
Posthole
In archaeology a posthole is a cut feature used to hold a surface timber or stone. They are usually much deeper than they are wide although truncation may not make this apparent....
or features above ground level. Maculae are differentiated from other features visible in aerial photographs such as enclosures, linear features and linear systems, which include path, roads, boundaries or limits. Identification and interpretation of maculae in air photographs is difficult and depends upon the experience of the observer, who has to take factors such as shape, size, relative position or proximity to other maculae, ground condition and knowledge of cultural practices of ancient humans in the region under observation.
The term is used in a different context in art on objects where it refers to the mesh of a net (in singular), or its depiction, the plural being maculae.