Lithics Flashcards

1
Q

What is lithics?

A

The study of stone tools.

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2
Q

Why are lithics common archaeological finds?

A

They are common, easily preserved, and are the oldest artifacts.

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3
Q

What are the goals of lithics?

A

To identify material type and source, methods of manufacture, and use and wear patterns.

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4
Q

What can be learned from the study of lithics?

A

Migration patterns, absolute and relative dating, reconstruction of past cultures.

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5
Q

What are the most common raw materials?

A

Quartz (rough and sandy), chert/flint (opaque and waxy), and obsidian (shiny black glass).

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6
Q

What are the two kinds of lithics?

A

Ground stone and flake stone.

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7
Q

What are ground stones used for?

A

For milling, grinding, or blunt implements.

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8
Q

What are flake stones used for?

A

Projectiles, blades, knives.

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9
Q

What is a core?

A

A mass of rock from which flakes are removed.

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10
Q

What is a flake?

A

A peice of stone that has been removed from a core.

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11
Q

What is a preform?

A

A flake that has some shaping but is not fully refined.

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12
Q

What is debitage?

A

Debris produced during the flaking process.

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13
Q

What is percussion flaking?

A

A hammer is used to strike a core and remove flakes.

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14
Q

Give examples of hard and soft hammers.

A

Rock (hard) and antler (soft).

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15
Q

What is pressure flaking?

A

A softer material is used to break off flakes using pressure rather than striking.

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16
Q

What is indirect hammer flaking?

A

The hammer is used on a soft material, which then breaks flakes off the core.

17
Q

What descriptors are used to describe flakes?

A

Dorsal (closest to exterior), ventral (closest to interior), proximal (closest to striking platform), and distal (farthest from striking platform).

18
Q

What is a striking platform?

A

It is the area on both core and flake that was struck by the hammer.

19
Q

What is a flake scar?

A

The negative impression left on a core after a flake is removed.

20
Q

What is the point of percussion?

A

A crushed area on the platform.

21
Q

What is a bulb of percussion?

A

A bulging area near the striking platform.

22
Q

What is an Erailleur scar?

A

A chip removed by force of blow near bulb or point of percussion.

23
Q

What are the stages of lithic reduction?

A

Primary (entire outer surface of lithic is cortex), secondary (part of dorsal side has cortex), and tertiary (no cortex found).

24
Q

What is cortex?

A

The weathered outer surface of a lithic

25
Q

What are the shape classifications of projectile points?

A

Triangular and leaf/lanceolate.

26
Q

What are the parts of a projectile point?

A

Tip, shoulder, stem, body, and base.

27
Q

What are the Alberta Projectile Point Classifications?

A

Lanceolate, corner-notched, stemmed, and side-notched.