Centralization is the concentration of political, economic, or administrative power in a single central authority, often reducing local or regional autonomy. In anthropology and political science, it’s a key concept for understanding how societies organize governance and distribute authority. 🌍 Definition Political Centralization: The consolidation of decision-making power within a central governing body or institution.…

Central Place Theory is a geographical model developed by Walter Christaller in 1933 to explain the size, number, and distribution of human settlements, showing how towns and cities function as “central places” providing services to surrounding areas. 🌍 Definition Central Place Theory (CPT): An urban geographical theory that explains why settlements are located where they…

The Central Coast Salish are Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, living primarily in southern British Columbia and northern Washington. They are part of the larger Coast Salish cultural and linguistic group, with deep traditions tied to land, water, and community. 🌍 Identity & Territory Region: Southern Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Fraser River Valley,…

In anthropology, archaeology, and social science, a census is the systematic collection of demographic data about a population. It’s both a methodological tool and a cultural artifact, reflecting how societies organize, classify, and govern themselves. 🌍 Definition Census: An official enumeration of a population, typically recording details such as age, sex, occupation, household composition, and…

A cenote is a natural sinkhole or well formed when limestone bedrock collapses and exposes groundwater. They are especially significant in Mesoamerican archaeology and anthropology, where they hold both ecological and cultural importance. 🌍 Definition Cenote: From the Yucatec Maya word ts’onot, meaning “well.” Formation: Created by the dissolution of limestone, revealing underground rivers and…

In archaeology and anthropology, a celt is a type of prehistoric tool or weapon, usually made of stone or metal, that is shaped like a chisel or axe head. It’s one of the most widespread artifact forms in human prehistory, appearing across cultures and time periods. 🌍 Definition Celt: A tool or implement, typically with…

Cedar is both a botanical and cultural icon: a coniferous tree (true cedars in the genus Cedrus) and a powerful symbol of strength, longevity, and spirituality across many societies. 🌍 Botanical Definition True Cedars: Belong to the genus Cedrus in the pine family (Pinaceae). Native to the Mediterranean and Himalayas. “False Cedars”: Trees like Eastern…

Ceboidea is the superfamily of New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) that includes several families of primates native to Central and South America. In anthropology and primatology, it’s a key taxonomic grouping used to understand primate diversity, ecology, and evolution. 🌍 Definition Ceboidea: Superfamily within the infraorder Platyrrhini (New World monkeys). Families Included: Cebidae (capuchins, squirrel monkeys)…

Cebidae are a family of New World monkeys that include capuchins and squirrel monkeys, found across Central and South America. They are small to medium-sized primates, highly social, intelligent, and ecologically important. 🌍 Definition & Taxonomy Family: Cebidae (established by Bonaparte, 1831). Genera: Cebus (gracile capuchins), Sapajus (robust capuchins), Saimiri (squirrel monkeys). Distribution: Tropical and…

Cebid refers to members of the family Cebidae, a group of New World monkeys studied in anthropology, primatology, and evolutionary biology. 🌍 Definition Cebidae: A family of primates native to Central and South America. Members: Capuchin monkeys (Cebus, Sapajus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri). Size: Small to medium-sized primates, generally 0.5–4 kg. 🔑 Biological & Anthropological…

In anthropology, the “cattle complex” refers to the deep cultural, social, and economic significance of cattle among pastoralist societies, especially in East Africa. It’s not just about livestock as food or wealth—it’s about identity, ritual, and worldview. 🌍 Definition Cattle Complex: A term coined by anthropologist Melville Herskovits (1926) to describe the central role of…

Cation-ratio dating is a geochronological method used in archaeology and geology to estimate the age of rock surfaces, artifacts, or geological features by analyzing the ratio of cations (positively charged ions) present in weathering rinds or varnishes. 🌍 Definition Cation-Ratio Dating: A relative dating technique that measures the ratio of “mobile” cations (like K⁺, Na⁺,…