In anthropology, a capitalist economy is understood as an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, market exchange, and wage labor, studied not only for its economic mechanics but also for its cultural, social, and historical impacts. 🌍 Definition Capitalist Economy: An economic system where goods and services are produced for…

In anthropology, biology, and archaeology, the term canine has multiple layers of meaning depending on context: 🦴 Anatomical Definition Canine Tooth: One of the four pointed teeth (two upper, two lower) in mammals. Adapted for piercing, tearing, and holding food. In humans, canines are less pronounced than in carnivores but still important for chewing and…

Camas refers to a group of perennial plants in the genus Camassia, native to western North America, that hold deep significance in ethnobotany and anthropology because of their role as a staple food for Indigenous peoples. 🌱 Botanical Definition Genus: Camassia (family Asparagaceae). Species: Includes Camassia quamash (common camas), Camassia leichtlinii (great camas), among others.…

Callitrichidae is a family of New World monkeys, often referred to as the marmosets and tamarins, studied in anthropology, primatology, and evolutionary biology for their unique social and biological traits. 🌍 Definition Callitrichidae: A family of small primates native to Central and South America. Members: Marmosets (Callithrix), tamarins (Saguinus), lion tamarins (Leontopithecus), and Goeldi’s monkey…

In anthropology and archaeology, caliche is significant because it is both a geological formation and a cultural material that shapes human settlement, construction, and preservation in arid regions. 🌍 Definition Caliche: A hardened deposit of calcium carbonate (sometimes mixed with gypsum or other minerals) that forms in soils of arid and semi-arid environments. Formation: Created…

In anthropology and linguistics, a call system refers to the set of vocal sounds or signals used by nonhuman primates (and other animals) to communicate. It’s a foundational concept in understanding the evolution of language and human communication. 🌍 Definition Call System: A repertoire of vocalizations, cries, or signals used by animals to convey specific…

A calendrical system in anthropology refers to the structured way societies organize and measure time, often based on astronomical cycles (sun, moon, stars) and embedded in cultural, ritual, and social life. These systems are not just practical tools for agriculture or administration—they are deeply symbolic, shaping cosmology, ritual calendars, and collective identity. 🌍 Definition Calendrical…

Calcined bone is a term used in archaeology, anthropology, and forensic science to describe bone that has been subjected to very high temperatures, resulting in complete combustion of organic material and alteration of the mineral structure. It is a key diagnostic category in the study of cremation and burning practices. 🌍 Definition Calcined Bone: Bone…

Cairn is a term in anthropology and archaeology for a human-made pile or stack of stones, often serving as a marker, memorial, or funerary monument. Cairns are found worldwide and are deeply tied to ritual, navigation, and cultural identity. 🌍 Definition Cairn: A deliberately constructed mound or pile of stones. Functions: Burial marker or tomb…

Caddoan refers to the language family and cultural tradition associated with several Native American groups of the Great Plains and Southeastern Woodlands. It is both a linguistic classification and an archaeological-cultural designation. 🌍 Definition Caddoan Languages: A family of Native American languages including Caddo, Pawnee, Arikara, Wichita, and Kitsai. Caddoan Tradition (Archaeology): Refers to the…

The Caddo are a Native American cultural group historically located in the southeastern United States, especially in present-day Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. They are well known in anthropology and archaeology for their mound-building traditions, complex chiefdom-level societies, and distinctive material culture. 🌍 Origins & Territory Language Family: Caddoan (related to Pawnee, Arikara, Wichita). Homeland:…

In anthropology and archaeology, the term cache refers to a deliberately hidden or stored collection of objects, often left for future use, ritual purposes, or symbolic meaning. It’s a concept that bridges material culture, subsistence strategies, and ritual practice. 🌍 Definition Cache: A hidden or stored group of artifacts, tools, or resources intentionally placed by…