Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses: A Microwear Analysis (Prehistoric Archeology and Ecology series)

by Lawrence H. Keeley (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0226428895

ISBN-10: 0226428893

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A major problem confronting archeologists is how to determine the function of ancient stone tools. In this important work, Lawrence H. Keeley reports on his own highly successful course of research into the uses of British Paleolithic flint implements. His principal method of investigation, known as "microwear analysis," was the microscopic examination of traces of use left on flint implements in the form of polishes, striations, and breakage patterns.

The most important discovery arising from Keeley's research was that, at magnifications of 100x to 400x, there was a high correlation between the detailed appearance of microwear polishes formed on tool edges and the general category of material worked by that edge. For example, different and distinctive types of microwear polish were formed during use on wood, bone, hide, meat, and soft plant material. These correlations between microwear polish and worked material were independent of the method of use (cutting, sawing, scraping, and so on). In combining evidence of polish type with other traces of use, Keeley was able to make precise reconstructions of tool functions. This book includes the results of a "blind test" of Keeley's functional interpretations which revealed remarkable agreement between the actual and inferred use of the tools tested.

Keeley applied his method of microwear analysis to artifacts from three excavation sites in Britain—Clacton-on-the-sea, Swanscombe, and Hoxne. His research suggests new hypotheses concerning such Paleolithic problems as inter-assemblage variability, the function of Acheulean hand axes, sidescrapers, and chopper-cores and points the way to future research in Stone Age studies.

John J. Shea
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About the Author

Lawrence H. Keeley is professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press (March 15, 1980)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0226428893
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226428895
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 0.9 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,221,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #205 in Archaeology (Books)

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Indiana Lee

Awesome text book on determining stone tool use.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 10, 2007

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Professor Lawerance H. Keeley research into Microwear Analysis is brilliant. A pioneer in this field. Out side of Archaeologist and Anthropologist few people realize just how much information can be obtain about the past by studying ancient stool tools. One can determine the use of Stool Tools from studying the flint tools under magnification of 100's to 400's, the polishes, striations and breakage patterns. Its amazing to me studying these tools and the technologies of ancient man. A important discovery was the correlation between detail patterns of microwear on flint tool edges and the material worked by that edge. A nice text book with detailed analysis to determine stone tool use. Awesome.

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