Another Look at Small Debitage and Microdebitage

Abstract

After a brief review of recent studies of small debitage and microdebitage it is suggested that such studies would be most useful in identifying primary knapping areas. In particular, Behm's (1983) study of primary and secondary deposits of knapping refuse is evaluated in light of ethnographic evidence, mostly from Mesoamerica. These data indicate that neither o f Behm 's criteria hold in all situations. A major factor determining the nature of workshop deposits appears to be the degree of mobility of a given society and, subsequently, the need to re-use work space.