Data-mining quartz and quartzite: should we have standard protocols for measuring and reporting on lithic assemblages?

Abstract

Raw materials are the lowest common denominator of any debitage analysis. And yet, the fracture mechanics

of eccentric raw materials are not always fully considered when performing inter-/intra-assemblage

comparisons. The fracture mechanics as one constraint to be respected by the knappers greatly influence

archaeological recovery of debitage products in different raw materials. Thus, our methodologies for recording debitage morphometrics may need to be adapted to specific raw materials. This means assemblage comparison and correlation can only be attempted in a context-dependent manner. We review results of assemblages in both chert and other raw materials from a range of locations across Old World to examine how such assemblages have been recorded. In doing so, we highlight various pitfalls and limitations, and propose that it is very important to provide the contextual information and describe exactly what method was used and give arguments, why it was used.