The Need to Know Geochemical, mineralogical, and petrographic analyses of lithic artifacts are important components in archaeological surveys because of the favored preservation of stone artifacts. Petrologic data has been used to successfully establish the type and extent of lithic procurement activities for marbles in the Mediterranean region (Herz, 1990), turquoise artifacts from southwestern United States and Mesoamerica (Harbottle and Weigand, 1992), native copper and galena artifacts found in the southeastern United States (Goad, 1978; Walthall et al., 1982), and greenstone artifacts found at Moundville, Alabama, and at mound sites in Arkansas (Gall and Steponaitis, 2001, and Gall et al., 2002). Mineralogical and textural data determined using nondestructive methods of analysis are needed to assign rock names to artifacts, and petrographic and geochemical data obtained through destructive methods of analysis may be useful in determining the geologic deposit (geographic location) from which lithic materials were obtained.
To properly describe the mineralogy and lithology of lithic artifacts, the geologic terms used in archaeology should be the same as those used in geology. The ability of researchers in the two disciplines to communicate will be greatly improved when mineralogical and petrographic terminology is utilized consistently. In summary, inferences regarding the use and exchange of lithic materials by and between prehistoric cultures is superceded by a need to characterize the exact mineralogy of tools, ornaments, and structures composed of stone.
Gall, Daniel G., Mainfort, Robert C., and Fisher-Carroll, Rita, 2002, The Occurrence of Greenstone at Late Period Sites in Northeast Arkansas, Journal of Southeastern Archaeology, vol. 21 , no.2
Gall, Daniel G., and Steponaitis, Vincus P., 2001, Composition and Provenance of Greenstone Artifacts from Moundville, Journal of Southeastern Archaeology, vol. 20, no.2
Goad, S.I., 1978, Exchange Networks in the Prehistoric Southeastern United States, unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
Harbottle, G., and Weigand, P.C., 1992, Turquoise in Pre-Columbian America, Scientific American, vol. 266, p. 78-85.
Herz, N., 1990, Stable isotope Geochemistry Applied to Archaeology, Archaeological Geology of North America, Lasca, N.P., and Donahue, J., eds., Geological Society of America, p. 585-595.
Walthall, J.A., Webb, C.H., Clarence, S.H., Stow, S.H., and Goad, S.I., 1982, Galena Analysis and Poverty point Trade, Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology, vol. 7, p. 133-148.
My Philosophy
As an academically-trained, professional consultant, I take pride in understanding the problems and opportunities of identifying the mineralogy and pertrography of lithic artifacts. I am committed to excellence in reporting research results, formulating conclusions based on reproducible data, and achieving client satisfaction. Access to prehistoric lithic artifacts and objects of art is a privilege I cherish; likewise, making contributions to the disciplines of archaeology and art history are endeavors I find very rewarding. |
