I have seen middens described as containing many different types of 
deposit- even burials.

I believe that it is the same as a dump. Refuse

Most likely it is a British Term or archaic American term for a dump.

Middens are often qualified by type as in Shell, bone   but so are dumps.

Shell middens were often some ways from settlements at the sites of 
gathering of shellfish for example lightening the load

Conrad Bladey
Peasant

Andy Sewell wrote:

>I also tend to think of a midden as something that gradually accumulates as a result of disposal activities over time, while a dump may represent a discrete occurrence of disposal, often of just a few classes of artifacts (bottles, broken dishes). A dump may also be located at some distance from the place of residence, or deposited in a specific landform, such as a ravine, whereas I tend to think of a midden as something that would likely be found around a domestic structure, such as a kitchen. I also think that using a term that a historical occupant or producer of such a deposit would use might be a good approach to consider.
>
>
>Andrew R. Sewell, MS, RPA
>Principal Investigator
>Hardlines Design Company
> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
>
>Andy
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeanette Mckenna
>Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 1:57 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: terminology
>
>I tend to think of "midden" and household or more organic waste, while
>trash dump or refuse may include many other items - like industrial waste,
>metals, etc.
>
>Jeanette McKenna
>California
>
>
>  
>
>>[Original Message]
>>From: Chuck Carrig <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date: 5/11/2010 10:53:55 AM
>>Subject: terminology
>>
>>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
>>    
>>
>
>  
>