Futile fragments?- some thoughts on microlith breakage patterns
Nyree Finlay · ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) · 2009
Microlith fragments are often overlookedin conventional lithic analysis due to the perceived limits of their typological utility. This paper presents the resilts of a detailed examination of microlith fragments from Lough Boora, Co. Offaly, Ireland as well as two Scottish Mesolithic sites: Bolsay Farm, Islay and Staosnaig,Colonsay. A pilot study to develop methodologies for microlith fragments is presented using an attribute-based approach; the objective being the exploration of breakage patterns as a means to determine stages in the microlith biography via the identification of manufacture, use and post-depositional fracture. The results reveal that while we can quantify post-depositional and manufacturing breakage with some confidence, the criteria for macroscopic use-wear needs to be critically re-evaluated.