Preliminary Analysis of a Non-Professionally Assembled Lithic Collection Using Morphological Classification
Mackenzie Hughes, Dennis Wilson, Nik Harkins, Mallory Triplett · ScholarWorks (Central Washington University) · 2019
With a growing number of lithic artifact collections accumulating from throughout the northern Great Basin, identifying what first steps to take in collections management is becoming increasingly crucial. Though new excavations continue, it is necessary to develop an initial paradigmatic classification scheme if non-professionally assembled lithic collections are to be studied for scientific purpose. The objective of this research is to develop a general lithic classification scheme to encompass the traits and variability encountered in some Great Basic lithic artifacts, including projectile points. The Wild/Clymer stone tool collection includes 4, 461 stone tool artifacts, many of which are highly variable, including stemmed points, crescents, and overshot flakes. High resolution provenience is lacking, but general geography is present. Before attempting to determine provenience of a subset of these artifacts labeled from Frenchglen, OR (n=1052), we found it necessary to develop a classification scheme to identify shared characteristics in the collection. This allows us to proceed with typological classification and develop future research questions. Winner, Outstanding Poster Presentation, School of Graduate Studies and Research.