Refers to an interpretive scheme that classifies landscapes into specific zones and subzones based upon biological, geographical, and climatic characteristics.

Archaeological sites found within Borden Blocks are given numbers, such as DjQj -1, DjQj -2 and so on. The letter combinations identify the specific Borden Block. Numbers are assigned based on the order that sites are indentified within the block.

The Borden System is a national inventory system (National Museum of Man 1975) that uses a combination of letters and numbers (e.g. DjQj-1) to identify the location of archaeological sites in Canada. This system uses longitudinal and latitudinal zones on the National Topographical Series of maps. Each longitudinal and latitudinal zone is divided into smaller areas called Borden Blocks. These blocks are identified by a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters (e.g. DjQj). The uppercase letters refer to units that are two degrees of latitude by four degrees of longitude in size. The lowercase letters refer to the subdivised units, which are ten minutes on a side. In the Slocan Valley the designation DjQj falls within map 82 F/12 and the number "1" identifies this site as the first archaeological site recorded in the block.

B.P. is an acronym for the term 'Before Present'. The term is standardized notation for archaeological dates where the Present is defined as AD 1950.

A Culturally Modified Tree (CMT) is defined as a tree or a remnant of a tree with evidence of traditional aboriginal use.

Ethnography is the branch of anthropology concerned with the study and description of cultures. Ethnographers collect information pertaining to the cultures of contemporary societies. Ethnography is the study of the cultures of contemporary societies.

In Alberta, Historical Resources are generally separated into four different categories archaeological, historic, palaeontological and natural. Archaeological resources usually include all prehistoric or historic cultural phenomena for which no written record exists. Historic resources consist of cultural remains relating to that period of Alberta's history for which historic documents exist. Historic period sites are usually more visible features or structures (e.g., standing buildings). Palaeontological resources consist of natural features containing evidence of extinct multicellular beings. These are most commonly referred to as fossils and include such things as dinosaur bones. And while it is not common, there have been instances where natural phenomena (e.g., areas, trees) have been managed under the provisions of the Historical Resources Act. Palaeontological concerns are the responsibility of staff from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Historical Resources Act Clearance is meant to speed up the clearance process for oil and gas in Alberta. An Application for Historical Resources Act Clearance form must be filled out for Class I pipelines, Class II piplines that have been upgraded to Class I or are located in the White Area, all pipelines in the Green Area, any project that also requires an Environmental Impact Assessment, and any project located in an area with a Historical Resources Value of "1", "2", or "3".

The Historic period generally refers to the time period that begins at the point of direct contact between Natives and Europeans in North America.

HRIA is an acronym for Historical Resources Impact Assessment and refers to a process that involves the assessment, recording and evaluation of archaeological resources in Alberta. The historical resources assessment process is comprised of two principal components: assessment and impact management. Assessment is primarily concerned with the location and evaluation of archaeological resources, and the assessment of impacts during the initial stages of project planning. Impact management follows directly from assessment and is primarily concerned with managing unavoidable adverse impacts as well as unanticipated impacts. HRIAs normally follow the completion of a Historical Resources Overview (HRO). The initial HRO determines the need to continue on to next levels of assessment. Historical Resources Impact Assessment work carried out in Alberta is done under a permit system. The permit system provides assurances of qualifications, standards and quality. There are three types of permits issued: one is for work undertaken for specific research and is referred to as the Research Permit; the second is for HRIA and mitigation projects and is referred to as the Mitigative Permit; and the third is for Palaeontological excavation work. The vast majority of Permits issued in a year are the Mitigation Permit type. The Permits usually cover a specific project and refer to a specific time period. Permits issued for Forestry projects usually span a full year. Following the completion of fieldwork, a report detailing the results of the HRIA is submitted to the Cultural Facilities and Historical Resources Division, Alberta Community Development.

HRM is an acronym for Historic Resource Mitigation. Mitigation may involve avoidance of an identified historic resource or further study before the need for avoidance is determined.

HRO is an acronym for Historical Resources Overview and normally refers to an office or research evaluation of the resource potential within a specific area of interest in Alberta. The HRO is part of the HRIA process and usually results in recommendations for further assessment work.

A Historical Resources Value (HRV) is the number designation given to a historical resource by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. HRVs can be found by checking the Listing of Significant Historical Sites and Areas. The value will be between 1 and 5. A value of one applies to designated historic sites. world heritage sites, and protected lands. Impacting a site with this value is almost never allowed. A value of 2 applies to registered historic resources while a value of 3 applies to non-designated but significant historic resources. HRV 4 applies to sites still requiring study. Finally, HRV 5 refers to areas of high potential for historic resources.

Preliminary Field Reconnaisance (PFR) refers to fieldwork performed in an area of moderate archaeological potential in British Columbia. Sub-surface testing is not done during Preliminary Field Reconnaisance. Areas that have had only a PFR conducted usually do not warrant further work.

Post Impact Assessment (PIA) refers to fieldwork performed in an area after a proposed development project has been completed. This fieldwork is meant to determine if and how historical resources have been affected by the project.

The time period immediately preceding the historic in any region. In British Columbia this is from the end of the last glaciation until the arrival of European trade goods.

The time period during which european goods were being traded and available in an area but prior to direct contact between First Nations and Europeans.

Shovel testing refers to a method used to find buried remains or archaeological sites, artifacts or features that occur below the ground's surface. A shovel test usually measures approximately 40 cm by 40 cm and is excavated down to sterile or non-cultural soil layers.