Philip J. Carr

Combining Aggregate and Individual Methods of Flake Debris Analysis: Aggregate Trend Analysis

Numerous approaches are currently employed for the analysis of chipped stone debris. These can generally be classified as aggregate and individual flake based methods. Here, elements of these two analyses are combined to produce a simplified form of analysis that allows useful insights into the technological make-up of flake debris assemblages. Specifically, general size data from aggregate analyses are combined with two attributes recorded on individual flakes as a pragmatic way of characterizing flake debris assemblages. Flake debris derived from flintknapping experiments demonstrate that differences between core reduction and tool production are observable for each and general trends in the data are derived through simulating archaeological assemblages. The utility of the method is demonstrated by application to the Bifurcate occupation of the Hart site (15La183) in Lawrence County, Kentucky. It is concluded that this method can be fruitfully applied to archaeological data sets, especially as an exploratory stage of research or when only limited analysis time is available.

Non-metric continuum-based flake analysis

Abstract Arguably, stone tool production is a continuous process. Most descriptions of lithic assemblages, if it includes discussion of flake debris, divide this continuum into stages. Limited previous work, using experimental and archaeological data, indicates successful assignation of an individual flake within a continuum of reduction. However, reliance on time-consuming, metric attributes has resulted in limited application of such methods to archaeological assemblages. Here, alternative attributes are examined for assigning a flake to a place along the production continuum. While preliminary, the results show promise when employing size grade, platform facet count, dorsal scars count, and weight. Considering additional attributes, conducting more experiments, employing diverse knappers, and various lithic materials are necessary before wide scale application.

Confirmation of an Archaic Period Mound in Southwest Mississippi

Abstract Site 22LI504 is a predominantly Archaic period site in Lincoln County, Mississippi. One of its primary elements of interest is a single conical mound from which small-diameter cores revealed evidence of advanced pedogenesis. A radiocarbon sample from one soil core produced a date suggesting that the mound was Archaic in age (Fulmer 2001); however, it was unclear whether the sample came from within the mound or an underlying midden. In the spring of 2006, we excavated a 1-x-1-m unit in the mound to investigate this question. Diagnostic lithic artifacts, an advanced state of soil horizonation, and a lack of ceramics indicate that the mound is of Archaic period construction, with as many as five construction stages and artifact-rich features. We describe the soil profiles, features, and artifacts recovered from the mound, with comparisons to excavation units in an adjacent Archaic midden to show that there is no clear evidence for the mound being a functionally specific locus. We also present radiocarbon dates that indicate the earthwork is over 5,000 years old. These results are evaluated within the broader context of Archaic mound building, focusing in particular on environmental parameters underlying bet-hedging behavior.