If Rocks Could Talk: Using Central Place Foraging Theory in Lithic Production and Utilization Research

Author

Sara Hocking, The University of Montana

Year of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Anthropology

Department or School/College

Department of Anthropology

Committee Chair

Anna Prentiss

Commitee Members

Christiane von Reichert, John Douglas

Keywords

archaeolgy, Bridge River, central place foraging, lithics

Abstract

This research addresses microeconomic decision making during the Fur-Trade Occupation at Housepit 54 of the Bridge River Site. Specifically, it addresses the lithic production in regard to field processing and technological investment at the site. Field processing considers the importance of cost in transporting lithic raw material, while technological investment examines the amount of retouch and usewear based upon the distance from the quarry. The research tests the hypothesis that: the farther away the quarry is from the village site, the more flakes will be dominated by late stage reduction while the extent of retouch and usewear per tool will increase. The outcome of this research shows that a relationship exists between distance of quarry and raw material utilization.

Recommended Citation

Hocking, Sara, "If Rocks Could Talk: Using Central Place Foraging Theory in Lithic Production and Utilization Research" (2013). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 541.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/541