Lithic Analysis

Lithic analysis can provide a broad age for a site, information on activities undertaken at the site and interactions with neighbouring populations.

The lithic assemblage can often provide an age range for a site that has yielded no other readily datable material. The assemblage may also indicate evidence for ancient or modern reworking of deposits.

Activities carried out at a site can be studied by assessing the types of tool or knapping debris that are present , the manufacturing techniques used and the spatial association of lithics with other artefact classes such as faunal remains. Lithics can be studied to gain evidence for variable use of a site through time or space and to establish evidence for occupation horizons.

Interaction with neighbouring populations may be evidenced by the occurrence of ‘foreign’ raw materials. Such information can be used to understand the use of the natural landscape and possible trade or exchange routes.

Contact: Lucy Allott