Preliminary Analysis of a Non-Professionally Assembled Lithic Collection Using Morphological Classification
Document Type
Poster
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
With a growing number of lithic artifact collections accumulating from throughout the northern Great Basin, identifying what first steps to take in collections management is becoming increasingly crucial. Though new excavations continue, it is necessary to develop an initial paradigmatic classification scheme if non-professionally assembled lithic collections are to be studied for scientific purpose. The objective of this research is to develop a general lithic classification scheme to encompass the traits and variability encountered in some Great Basic lithic artifacts, including projectile points. The Wild/Clymer stone tool collection includes 4, 461 stone tool artifacts, many of which are highly variable, including stemmed points, crescents, and overshot flakes. High resolution provenience is lacking, but general geography is present. Before attempting to determine provenience of a subset of these artifacts labeled from Frenchglen, OR (n=1052), we found it necessary to develop a classification scheme to identify shared characteristics in the collection. This allows us to proceed with typological classification and develop future research questions.
Winner, Outstanding Poster Presentation, School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Recommended Citation
Hughes, Mackenzie; Wilson, Dennis; Harkins, Nik; and Triplett, Mallory, "Preliminary Analysis of a Non-Professionally Assembled Lithic Collection Using Morphological Classification" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 205.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Posters/205
Department/Program
Anthropology and Museum Studies
Preliminary Analysis of a Non-Professionally Assembled Lithic Collection Using Morphological Classification
Ellensburg
With a growing number of lithic artifact collections accumulating from throughout the northern Great Basin, identifying what first steps to take in collections management is becoming increasingly crucial. Though new excavations continue, it is necessary to develop an initial paradigmatic classification scheme if non-professionally assembled lithic collections are to be studied for scientific purpose. The objective of this research is to develop a general lithic classification scheme to encompass the traits and variability encountered in some Great Basic lithic artifacts, including projectile points. The Wild/Clymer stone tool collection includes 4, 461 stone tool artifacts, many of which are highly variable, including stemmed points, crescents, and overshot flakes. High resolution provenience is lacking, but general geography is present. Before attempting to determine provenience of a subset of these artifacts labeled from Frenchglen, OR (n=1052), we found it necessary to develop a classification scheme to identify shared characteristics in the collection. This allows us to proceed with typological classification and develop future research questions.
Winner, Outstanding Poster Presentation, School of Graduate Studies and Research.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Posters/205
Faculty Mentor(s)
Patrick McCutcheon