Customer Reviews

Understanding Stone Tools and Archaeological Sites

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At first blush, this book is right down my alley. After reading the book, about 50% of it is too technical for the layman/armchair archaeologist. The other 50% is oustanding, containing great information, discussion and breakdown of producing lithic tools, the life cycle of lithic tools, etc. Especially engrossing the creation method of Clovis tools. The authors listing of the different views of various knappers, and experts on certain aspects of making stone tools, was a little disjointed. I understand what he was doing, but the presentation was a bit odd. His views on preserving archaeological sites, was extreme. Save parts of sites, or all of some, but don't save all would be a more productive method. The authors work at the "head-smashed-in" bison jump is to be commended, as is his other published archaeological studies and works. Generally his explainations of complex scientific methods and theories, is well done. Many of the methods and theories are just too advanced for the average layman to understand. His stated temperatures for heat treating chert, even though in (Canadian) Celius rather than Fahrenheit, seem way off base, which in itself is a very minor complaint. ****I do highly recommend this book the three star at top is an error on my part. this book I go back and refer to many times...

Understanding Stone Tools and Archaeological Sites balances a hands-on analysis of North American stone tools and prehistoric stone tool manufacturing with facts based on fieldwork, providing students of archaeology with a primer for understanding stone tools and site analysis proceedings. Essential for any student of American archaeological studies.

Living in a constant threat environment it was a race for survival. Ancient man only made and produce what he needed to survive. He also made tools then that were simple and easy as possible to produce. Early man did not have the time to produce complex tools. This is a excellent book on stone tools.