Perhaps the distinction is between formal and informal structures of 
artifact deposition.

There should be a list of terms at the formal end-

Dump, Landfill, junkyard

and another at the informal end

trash, garbage, mess. junk

This would also relate to near far peripheral adjacent oppositions.

Formal disposal would be chosen for objectionable items- rotting food, 
large bones, large items that would get in the way

Then you have unintentional deposition- lost items tossed out silverware 
in the compost (we seem to do this way more than one would think) 
kitchen artifacts spread by the harrowing of fields etc.....

then you have usages that do not apply to disposal "trish trash" 17th 
century English words for religious articles of Catholics.

the important thing is not the presence of "mess" but the variation of 
the mess within a community.

Conrad

Robert L. Schuyler wrote:

> Sometimes it is good to say "trash", "garbage", etc. if you do not 
> want the site looted by well meaning but curious people.  It depends 
> on whom you are talking at the site.
>
> I am still curious about "emic" terminology and (in America) its 
> history and internal variation.
>
> Also, when is a "historic artifact concentration" = to a "spirit 
> bundle in the ground?" The latter seem to cropping up all over the 
> place these days. It must be global warming.
>
> RLS
>
> At 11:12 PM 5/12/2010, you wrote:
>
>> I say "historic artifact concentration."
>>
>> 1. Ever heard a prehistorian call a lithic site "trash"?
>>
>> 2. It's hard to keep a straight face while telling someone that 
>> digging up
>> "trash" is a good use of their money.
>>
>> 3. I don't like the term "scatter." It conjures up the image of a 
>> barefoot
>> maiden broadcasting rose petals from a woven basket tra-la.
>>
>> Adrian Praetzellis
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 11, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Chuck Carrig 
>> <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>>
>> > Is there a consensus on the proper terminology for the discussion of
>> > historic refuse concentrations?
>> >
>> > I've always used the terminology historic midden as opposed to 
>> historic
>> > trash dump.
>> >
>> > Chuck Carrig - RPA
>> > Archaeologist
>> > BLM - Dillon Field Office
>> > 1005 Selway Drive
>> > Dillon, MT 59725
>> > (406)683-8029
>> >
>
>