Cognitive tool categories in prehistoric quartz assemblages : The analysis of fracture patterns and use wear in a case study of Stone Age sites from Eastern Central Sweden.
Kjel Knutsson, Helena Knutsson · 2009
This paper presents a possible strategy for the identification of prehistoric cognitive quartz tool categories among flakes and flake fragments found on Stone Age sites. Use-wear and fracture pattern analysis of 543 artefacts from 21 Mesolithic and Neolithic Stone age sites in Eastern Central Sweden form the basis of the discussion. It is initially assumed that the type of fractures and formal qualities of flakes are decisive regarding which pieces were selected for use. It could be concluded that most tools are unmodified flakes and that as much as 50% of the total flaked, but unmodified assemblage on some of the sites, have been used as tools. A range of uses to which these tools had been put could thus be interpreted. Another important result of this study is that the initially hypothesised relationship between certain types of fractures and specific use was refuted. Flake and flake fragments are most likely, and not surprisingly, used for different purposes based on edge qualities, rather than on formal qualities of the flake or flake fragment. Distinct cognitive categories seem to be present as certain types continuously show up among the flakes with use-wear in the investigated assemblages.