For most of our existence, humans have used stone as a primary resource for survival. Stone tools are generally resistant to degradation, and consequently comprise a large amount of the material culture found at archaeological sites worldwide. Recovery of stone tools during archaeological excavation indicates the location where they were discarded, often tied to where they were used. Determination of where the raw materials to produce those tools came from, or “sourcing” and the path it took to reach that ultimate destination, offers insight into trade and procurement patterns. The scholars gathered in this volume employ a variety of unique and novel approaches to real-life contexts in multiple geographic regions. These studies illustrate the numerous, robust options available to archaeologists and researchers today, as well as the problems that must be faced and resolved.
The first section focuses on technological aspects of sourcing, presenting a specific method of chemical analysis and, often, avenues for improving it. The second section focuses on region-specific and methodological sourcing applications. A concluding review by Michael Glascock critiques each of the chapters and presents his views on sourcing raw materials gained over 40 years of experience in the field. Broadly, these contributions demonstrate how a more thorough knowledge of lithic sources, geologic processes, the nature of variation, and regional availability can provide a more thorough understanding of past peoples.
Charles A. Speer is associate professor of anthropology at Idaho State University and the curator of anthropology at Idaho Museum of Natural History.
Ryan M. Parish is associate professor of archaeology at the University of Memphis.
Gustavo Barrientos is a professor of archaeology at the National University of La Plata and principal researcher of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina.
Contributions by AgustÍn Agnolin, Pedro Andrade, Hassan Aouraghe, Said Bengamra, Alfonso Benito-Calvo, CÉsar Borie, Adam Burke, Adrian Burke, Gisela Cassiodoro, Luciana Catella, M. Gema ChacÓn, Gabriela Coelho dos Santos, Josefina Flores Coni, Kane Ditchfield, Trudy Doelman, StÉphan Dubernet, Analia Castro Esnal, Silvana Espinosa, Carola Flores, Bretton Giles, Michael Glascock, Rafael GoÑi, Bernard Gratuze, Hamid Haddoumi, Jillian Huntley, Rebekah Kurpiel, Juan Ignacio Morales, Khori Newlander, Laura OlguÍn, Fernando Oliva, CÉsar Parcero-OubiÑa, Cecilia. PÉrez de Micou, Ximena Power, Robert Sala-Ramos, Diego Salazar, Marta SÁnchez de la Torre, Morgan Smith, MarÍa Soto, Mohamed Souhir, Charles Stern, Andoni TarriÑo, Norberto Uriz, Ingrid Ward, John Webb, and FranÇois Xavier Le Bourdonnec.
