Flakes come in all shapes and sizes and therefore, a true and precise measure of the flake area is notoriously challenging to produce. Archeologists have thus resorted to the use of a number of different tools to measure flake area but these methods lack accuracy and precision. This paper reviews the different methods developed for measuring flake area and proposes a novel method which allows a precise assessment of flake area using an optical scanner. This computer assisted measurement (CAM) is inexpensive, fast, accurate, and measures the flake area with a sub-millimetric precision. By examining data from flakes found on two sites on the Ottawa and Saint Lawrence Rivers, it becomes clear that this method is highly compatible with older methods, while providing researchers some much needed flexibility, detail and precision, as well as freeing them of the constraints of predetermined size classes.

"Lithics in the Scandinavian Late Bronze Age. Sociotechnical Change and Persistence, by Anders Högberg." Lithic Technology, 37(1), pp. 65–66

"Cave of Forgotten Dreams (film) Directed by Werner Herzog." Lithic Technology, 37(1), pp. 61–62

During the summer of 2006, the authors had the opportunity to visit portions of the extensive flint quarries found associated with Wadi el-Sheikh near El-Minya, Middle Egypt. The subject of little formal study, these impressive quarries extend for several kilometers in the northern portion of the wadi and likely were used since prehistoric times. Initial evidence suggests that these quarries, where millions of flint blades and bifacial knives were produced, were at the height of their production activities during the Pharaonic periods. A cursory technological lithic analysis onsite has allowed for a preliminary interpretation of what appears to have been a common reduction sequence for the production of flint blade-cores used at the quarries. The current model for this flint reduction process is presented here.

Blade/bladelet technology has been described as a highly efficient manner by which to produce stone tools, both tool blanks and finished forms. It was practiced during the Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic (or Epipaleolithic) over vast portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa and it has also been ascribed to the Paleoindian Period for both Pre-Clovis and Clovis assemblages. However, the authors believe that in North America blade technology was relatively rare when compared to Old World settings and almost absent in some areas such as northeastern North America. Eastern Clovis lithic reduction systems supported a high degree of mobility, extremely low population densities, and an adaptation to a highly variable and changing Allerød and Younger Dryas environment. At roughly the same time, Old World Upper Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic peoples used relatively structured and standardized blade/bladelet manufacturing systems that best suited higher population densities with lower levels of mobility. This paper examines the characteristics of these different lithic reduction strategies and outlies the benefits of the bifacial core and tool technologies employed by early Paleoindians.

ABSTRACTOn the Northern European Plain, the Late Palaeolithic cultural sequence is characterised by a series of changes in the shape and size of lithic armatures. Especially remarkable is the appearance of the regionally restricted large tanged points of the Bromme and Perstunian techno-complexes. Their function as arrowheads, dart- or spear-points has been much debated and this paper aims to contribute to this discussion. Based on the analysis of a substantial (N=632) database of measurements on Late Palaeolithic armatures, it is concluded that these large tanged points represent the exclusive use of the spear-thrower-and-dart weapon delivery system. Earlier, as well as later, smaller types of projectiles represent the use of bow-and-arrow technology. In contrast to other regions, Southern Scandinavia appears to have experienced an initial introduction, followed by a loss and subsequent re-introduction of bow-and-arrow technology. Possible reasons for, and culture-historical implications of, this loss and subsequent re-introduction are discussed, and suggestions for future research avenues are offered.

Abstract Analysis of lithic artifact data from Skink Rockshelter (44NI445) in central West Virginia indicates that stone quality and availability were important in determining how Native Americans differentially utilized tools at the site. In turn, tool function influenced lithic raw material selection. Although local Kanawha chert was clearly preferred for projectile point and biface manufacture, nonlocal Upper Mercer chert was preferred for flake tool use. Skink Rockshelter lithic data do not support the original hypothesis of the paper, that expedient flake tool use would increase at the expense of curated tools in the Kanawha chert primary source area. Instead, individuals curated the comparatively high-quality Upper Mercer chert stone tools to the site and continued to use and retouch them, rather than replace them with tools produced from the inferior, but abundant, Kanawha chert. Curation of Upper Mercer flake tools, as well as projectile points, resulted in their markedly reduced sizes and higher hafted biface reduction index (HRI) measures compared to the local Kanawha chert tools. INTRODUCTION Although overlooked in most prior studies, retouch of stone tools is an important component of the wider technological organization strategy of mobile hunter–gatherers. Even though retouch is the main focus of this paper, the ultimate goal is to better understand the means by which hunter–gatherers achieved success in life with the help of stone.

Abstract Measuring retouch location and intensity on hafted bifaces is shown to be an effective technique for assessing artifact function. Unlike other areas of North America, where dart technology is replaced by arrow technology, Coalition Period occupations on the Pajarito Plateau of New Mexico contain both hafted biface forms used simultaneously. A stylistic analysis of dart points shows that hafted biface forms found in Coalition Period contexts were recycled from Middle and Late Archaic surface scatters. Furthermore, retouch location and intensity show that Coalition Period dart points were used for cutting and sawing activities and not as projectile technology. INTRODUCTION In the American Southwest, and throughout North America, dart-sized hafted bifaces identified as projectile points, normally associated with sites dating to the Paleoindian and Archaic time periods, are regularly found on sites dating to the past thousand years (cf. Kohler 2004; Turnbow 1997). Late period points were likely small and designed to be attached to the smaller arrow foreshaft. Although researchers have noted the presence of dart-sized points in settings where the bow and arrow were likely used, few have addressed the question of the context of manufacture or use of these larger hafted bifaces. In the Northern Rio Grande, the presence of Scottsbluff, Jay, Bajada, and other large dart points dating to the Late Paleoindian and Archaic in Coalition and Classic period sites rarely elicits more than a description as a “curated” item or “heirloom,” or as a knife replicating an older style.