Thesis
Debitage variability among multiple flint knappers
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101535
Abstract
Five flint knappers produced both multidirectional cores and early stage bifaces. The debitage assemblages were compared to evaluate if, and to what degree, the debitage created by one flint knapper varies from that of the other flint knappers. The debitage from these reduction episodes was then analyzed with commonly used and replicable debitage attributes. Each knapper was evaluated in terms of his/her individual consistency and tested for each ratio scale debitage attribute to ensure that the variability found between knappers was not a product of variation within the assemblages of the individual knappers. The debitage from the individual flint knappers was found to be highly variable between knappers for both technologies. Attempts to predict knappers by their debitage assemblages alone were unsuccessful, however, with a larger population of flint knappers this could occur. This study suggests that variability between flint knappers must be considered when designing lithic reduction experiments and with further research could develop into a tool for understanding the debitage of prehistoric peoples.
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Details
- Title
- Debitage variability among multiple flint knappers
- Creators
- Justin Patrick Williams
- Contributors
- William Andrefsky (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525024401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis