Lithic Analysis

At CRAI, lithic analysis consists of the technological analysis of flake debris, technological and morphological analysis of modified implements and cores, and low magnification microwear analysis of modified implements and a sample of flake debris. The method(s) used depend on the questions being asked of the data and the data set in question. Common methods in use at CRAI consist of mass analysis, reduction stage classification, minimum analytical nodule and refit analysis, and continuum based approaches. Experimental data sets can be created for use in the analysis. Comparitive collections from use wear experiments and chert samples from the southeastern and midwestern United States are housed at CRAI.

CRAI employees who specialize in lithic analysis:

• Andrew P. Bradbury (M.A., RPA), has over 15 years experience in lithic analysis in the midwestern and southeastern United States. He has experience in quantitative methods (including multivariate methods and spatial analysis) and low magnification microwear analysis.
• Flora Church (Ph.D., RPA), has 25 years experience in lithic analysis in the mid-Ohio Valley region. She has experience in quantitative methods and high-power microwear analysis of materials from the mid-Ohio Valley, Texas, and Easter Island, Chile.
• D. Randall Cooper (B.A.), has 20 years of experience in archaeology with a focus on hunter-gatherer societies. He has eight years of experience in lithic analysis in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Dakota, Alaska, and California.
• Brian G. DelCastello (M.A.), has over six years experience in lithic analysis in the eastern Woodlands, particularly in Illinois and Kentucky. His primary research interest in lithic analysis concerns raw material analysis and source area identification.
• Andrew V. Martin (M.A., RPA), has five years of experience in lithic analysis, most of which has been conducted in Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. He has experience in using geographic information systems software to conduct spatial analysis of lithic assemblage.

Online lithic analysis publications by CRAI employees:

• A Microwear Analysis of Lithic Tools from the Baker’s Bluff Site (33LI1094/1096/1182) in St. Albans Township, Licking County, Ohio by Flora Church
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