NON-METRIC CONTINUUM-BASED FLAKE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Arguably, stone tool production is a continuous process. Most descriptions of lithic assemblages, if it includes discussion of flake debris, divide this continuum into stages. Limited previous work, using experimental and archaeological data, indicates successful assignation of an individual flake within a continuum of reduction. However, reliance on time-consuming, metric attributes has resulted in limited application of such methods to archaeological assemblages. Here, alternative attributes are examined for assigning a flake to a place along the production continuum. While preliminary, the results show promise when employing size grade, platform facet count, dorsal scars count, and weight. Considering additional attributes, conducting more experiments, employing diverse knappers, and various lithic materials are necessary before wide scale application.

Keywords:

• Flintknapping experiments
• continuum approach
• lithic analysis
• organization of technology

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew P. Bradbury

Correspondence to: Andrew P. Bradbury, Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., 119 W. Summit Hill Dr., 2nd Floor, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, USA. Email: [email protected]

Philip J. Carr

Philip J. Carr, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688, USA. Email: [email protected]