Evaluating indices of curation for Archaic North American bifacial projectile points

Abstract

This paper addresses the definitions of the term “curation” and the utility of various techniques for its quantification based on morphometric, isometric, and geometric characteristics of bifacial projectile points. The definitions were evaluated through the comparative application of curation indices to a collection of Archaic projectile points from the Southwestern United States. Bifacial projectile points from the Walt Jones Farm site (10Br9), Georgia, were analyzed with the accompanying debitage using curation indices and non-indexical measures. Comparisons of the curation indices with non-indexical measures allow an examination of the utility of the term “curation,” and we argue that indices of curation cannot operate in a vacuum without additional information concerning an assemblage.

Keywords:

• curation
• reduction indices
• organization of technology
• bifacial projectile points
• Southeast Archaic period

We would like to thank the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University for access to the Walt Jones Farm materials. Thanks to Phil Carr, Mike Shott, and John Whittaker for their comments on previous drafts of this manuscript.

Rachel A. Horowitz (M.A. 2012, Tulane University) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Tulane University. Her research interests include lithic technology, technological organization, economic organization, and the Maya.

Grant S. McCall (Ph.D. 2006, University of Iowa) is Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Tulane University and Editor of Lithic Technology. His research focuses on forager economic and social systems, behavioral ecology, and the origins of modern humans in southern Africa.