Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2017

Major

Anthropology (B.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. M. Jared Wood

Abstract

Lithic artifacts are among the most common remnants evidencing our ancestors’ intelligence and survivability. They can reflect many aspects of a culture’s practices and use of natural materials. The analysis of such remains is a mainstay of archaeology, but not all lithic analysis is the same. Analysis varies by method (mass flake analysis, individual flake analysis, etc.), and by the level of experience of the analysts themselves, creating debate on the comparability and the accuracy of each approach. This research is a case study of my effectiveness, being a novice level archaeologist, at Mass Flake analysis, using a contemporary collection of lithic debris. Effectiveness will be measured using the creator of the debris, who is an expert stone knapper (Scott Jones), as the final reviewer of materials identified and discussed. This study hopes to shed light on not only the method used, but how much the experience of the analyst comes into play.

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