Lithics Flashcards
What is lithics?
The study of stone tools.
Why are lithics common archaeological finds?
They are common, easily preserved, and are the oldest artifacts.
What are the goals of lithics?
To identify material type and source, methods of manufacture, and use and wear patterns.
What can be learned from the study of lithics?
Migration patterns, absolute and relative dating, reconstruction of past cultures.
What are the most common raw materials?
Quartz (rough and sandy), chert/flint (opaque and waxy), and obsidian (shiny black glass).
What are the two kinds of lithics?
Ground stone and flake stone.
What are ground stones used for?
For milling, grinding, or blunt implements.
What are flake stones used for?
Projectiles, blades, knives.
What is a core?
A mass of rock from which flakes are removed.
What is a flake?
A peice of stone that has been removed from a core.
What is a preform?
A flake that has some shaping but is not fully refined.
What is debitage?
Debris produced during the flaking process.
What is percussion flaking?
A hammer is used to strike a core and remove flakes.
Give examples of hard and soft hammers.
Rock (hard) and antler (soft).
What is pressure flaking?
A softer material is used to break off flakes using pressure rather than striking.
What is indirect hammer flaking?
The hammer is used on a soft material, which then breaks flakes off the core.
What descriptors are used to describe flakes?
Dorsal (closest to exterior), ventral (closest to interior), proximal (closest to striking platform), and distal (farthest from striking platform).
What is a striking platform?
It is the area on both core and flake that was struck by the hammer.
What is a flake scar?
The negative impression left on a core after a flake is removed.
What is the point of percussion?
A crushed area on the platform.
What is a bulb of percussion?
A bulging area near the striking platform.
What is an Erailleur scar?
A chip removed by force of blow near bulb or point of percussion.
What are the stages of lithic reduction?
Primary (entire outer surface of lithic is cortex), secondary (part of dorsal side has cortex), and tertiary (no cortex found).
What is cortex?
The weathered outer surface of a lithic
