Lithic Analysis (Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique) - Hardcover

Odell, George H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0306480670 ISBN 13: 9780306480676

Publisher: Springer, 2003

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

From the reviews:
"The book is organized into six chapters, each of which is driven by a series of questions the potential lithic analyst might pose. In addition to a question driven structure, sidebars are used to make supplemental points to the primary narrative."
(William Andrefsky, Jr., Journal of Field Archaeology)

Synopsis

This practical volume does not intend to replace a mentor, but acts as a readily accessible guide to the basic tools of lithic analysis that a researcher can consult. Some focuses of the manual include: History of stone tool research, Procurement, manufacture and function, Assemblage variability. This manual also includes text boxes, bringing basic terms and information to the attention of the researcher. "Lithic Analysis" will be an incomparable source for academic archaeologists, cultural resource and heritage management archaeologists, government heritage agencies, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students of archaeology focused on the prehistoric period.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0306480670
• ISBN 13: 9780306480676
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 277