Lithic Analysis
Published on 31. December 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
XV, 262 pages
978-0-306-48068-3 (ISBN)
Description
Procedures by which archaeological stone tools have been analyzed have tradition ally operated on an apprenticeship model, whereby a novice acquires competency at the elbow of a grizzled but revered expert in the field. After shuffling through literally thousands of stones and asking hundreds of questions, the neophite even tually reaches a level at which he or she can fly solo, requiring less and less attention from the Master. While this pedagogical model has been frequently tried and tested, it is not always the most efficient method, it is very labor-intensive, and it requires a resident lithics expert, a situation that often does not exist in reality. Learning the ropes would clearly be more practical if there were a manual to consult, a book that provides information and direction so that the Master might at least be spared the most elemental questions and would not have to be available all the time. For years no such manual existed, but recently the ice has been bro ken by Bill Andrefsky's Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis, and Brian Kooyman's Understanding Stone Toolsand Archaeological Sites. These are good books, and can profitably be employed by fledgling lithic analysts. My own interest in writing a manual for stone tool analysts derives initially from the way I was trained-literally at the knees of two Masters (in this case, revered but not grizzled):Dr. Raymond R. Newell in typological and technological matters, and Dr. Ruth E. Tringham in functional studies.
More details
Series
Edition
1st ed. 2004. Corr. print. 2003
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Springer Science+Business Media
Target group
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Graduate
Illustrations
XV, 262 p.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
435 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-306-48068-3 (9780306480683)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4419-9009-9
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
George H. Odell
Lithic Analysis
Book
12/2003
Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
€64.19
Shipment within 10-15 days
Content
1. History Of Stone Tool Research.- Procurement.- Tool Manufacture.- Assemblage Variability.- Tool Use.- Behavioral Questions.- Perspectives.- 2. Procurement.- Formation Of Rock.- Igneous Rocks.- Sedimentary Rocks.- Metamorphic Rocks.- Summary.- Geomorphic Processes.- Defining The Problem.- Is This Material Local?.- What is the Source of the Material?.- Visual Characterization.- Hand Specimens.- Petrographic Techniques.- Geochemical Techniques.- Neutron Activation Analysis.- X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis.- PIXE and Similar Techniques.- Other Instrumental Types of Analysis.- General Remarks.- 3. Tool Manufacture.- Fracture Mechanics.- General Principles.- Types of Fracture.- Fracture Features.- Types Of Flaking And Flakers.- Percussion Flaking.- Pressure Flaking.- Primary And Secondary Modification.- Primary Modification.- Secondary Modification.- Ground Stone.- Manufacture-Ground Specimens.- Use-Ground Specimens.- Analyzing Ground Stone Tools.- 4. Assemblage Variability.- Detecting Vectors Of Information.- Raw Material.- Technology: Basic Partitioning.- Technology: Distinguishing Trajectories.- Morphology: Characterizing Shape.- Function.- Comparing Assemblages.- Comparing Class Structure.- Comparing Specific Classes.- Analyzing Unretouched Debris.- Individual Flake Analysis.- Mass Analysis.- Summary.- 5. Toolfunction.- Use-Wear Analysis.- Background.- Techniques.- Summary.- Residue Analysis.- Plant Remains.- Blood Residues.- Summary.- 6. Ecountering Pehistoric Bhavior.- Subsistence.- Food Procurement.- Food Processing.- Shelter, Facilities And Clothing.- Structures and Facilities.- Clothing.- Organization Of Mobility And Technology.- Tool Design.- Raw Material Procurement, Supply, and Use.- Complex Societies.- Production of Surplus Goods.- Material Replacement.- Concluding Remarks.- References.