In much smaller things forgotten: a case for microartifact analysis in cultural resource management

Abstract

The past several decades have seen a shift in archaeology from the exclusive analysis of “interesting” artifacts, such as diagnostic lithics and ceramics, towards a more holistic examination that includes the smaller, less obvious, “forgotten” artifacts. These micro-sized artifacts are a focus for archaeologists because many studies show their utility in documenting activity areas and site formation processes. As early as the 1970s, researchers recognized the value of microartifacts and academic archaeologists increasingly included them in their studies over the subsequent decades. In this paper, we argue that microartifact analysis is also of interest to those working in cultural resource management (CRM), albeit for different reasons. By analyzing both macro- and microartifacts recovered from an Archaic-period lithic scatter in Meade County, KY, we explore the contribution microartifacts, specifically microdebitage, can make to our understanding of lithic scatters within CRM. The results of this exploratory case study suggest that data derived from microartifacts may alter assessments of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of some lithic scatters that otherwise might be deemed insignificant and, therefore, ineligible for the NRHP.

Keywords:

• Cultural resource management
• Lithic scatter
• Microartifact analysis
• Archaic period

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Lara Homsey-Messer and Anthony Ortmann for organizing the microartifact symposium at the 2013 annual meeting of the Society of American Archaeology in Honolulu, HI, and for inviting us to participate in both the symposium and this thematic volume. Niki Mills and Michael Walsh, both of Brockington and Associates, graciously created many of the graphics and Meagan Brady and Jeff Sherard of the Brockington laboratory staff facilitated the flotation analysis. Finally, this paper greatly benefitted from the editorial guidance of Betsy Reitz and Lara Homsey-Messer and the thoughtful reviews provided by Philip Carr and two anonymous reviewers.

Note on Contributors

Phyllis S. Johnson earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Wright State University and an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee. She is currently an Archaeologist with Brockington and Associates, Inc. Her research interests include Cultural Resource Management, lithic technology, experimental archaeology, and public archaeology.

James C. Pritchard earned a B.A. In Sociology from Millsaps College and a Master's in Applied Science - Cultural Heritage Management from Canberra University. He is a Senior Archaeologist at Environmental Research Group (ERG). His research interests include the pre-Contact and early settler archaeology of Kentucky.

Dr. Eric Poplin received a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary and has over 30 years of experience in cultural resource management studies in the Southeast. He is well versed in studies of both the prehistoric and historic periods, and has completed a large number of cultural resource projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, S.C. Department of Transportation, and many other federal, state, and local agencies. Dr. Poplin has also worked extensively with private development firms required to identify and manage cultural resources during the application of state or federal permits. Dr. Poplin serves as Brockington and Associates’ Laboratory Director and Vice President.