Evaluating morphological variability in lithic assemblages using 3D models of stone artifacts

Bretzke, Knut; Conard, Nicholas J.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2012.06.039

Cited by 71 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Other drawbacks in applying these results to the archaeological record include the feasibility of scanning and land-marking large archaeological collections at this point in time. However, the efficiency of scanning technologies and the availability of digital methodologies for landmarking stone artefacts have both increased at an exponential rate within just the last 5 to 6 years (Bretzke and Conard 2012;Grosman 2016;Morales et al 2015). Applying these newly available digital tools to wider ranges of experimental as well as archaeological flake collections and in pursuit of tackling more complex questions about the technological behaviour of past hominins comprise exciting new avenues of this research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A geometric morphometric relationship predicts stone flake shape and size variability

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Režek

et al. 2017

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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The archaeological record represents a window onto the complex relationship between stone artefact variance and hominin behaviour. Differences in the shapes and sizes of stone flakes-the most abundant remains of past behaviours for much of human evolutionary history-may be underpinned by variation in a range of different environmental and behavioural factors. Controlled flake production experiments have drawn inferences between flake platform preparation behaviours, which have thus far been approximated by linear measurements, and different aspects of overall stone flake variability (Dibble and Rezek J Archaeol Sci 36:1945-1954 Lin et al. Am Antiq 724-745, 2013; Magnani et al. J Archaeol Sci 46:37-49, 2014; Rezek et al. J Archaeol Sci 38:1346-1359, 2011. However, when the results are applied to archaeological assemblages, there remains a substantial amount of unexplained variability. It is unclear whether this disparity between explanatory models and archaeological data is a result of measurement error on certain key variables, whether traditional analyses are somehow a general limiting factor, or whether there are additional flake shape and size drivers that remain unaccounted for. To try and circumvent these issues, here, we describe a shape analysis approach to assessing stone flake variability including a newly developed three-dimensional geometric morphometric method ('3DGM'). We use 3DGM to demonstrate that a relationship between platform and flake body governs flake shape and size variability. Contingently, we show that by using this 3DGM approach, we can use flake platform attributes to both (1) make fairly accurate stone flake size predictions and (2) make relatively detailed predictions of stone flake shape. Whether conscious or instinctive, an understanding of this geometric relationship would have been critical to past knappers effectively controlling the production of desired stone flakes. However, despite being able to holistically and accurately incorporate three-dimensional flake variance into our analyses, the behavioural drivers of this variance remain elusive.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A geometric morphometric relationship predicts stone flake shape and size variability

Archer

Pop

Režek

et al. 2017

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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“…Additionally, morphometric analysis provides data for the study of production technologies. Such methods are increasingly common, especially in studies of lithics (Bretzke and Conard 2012;Clarkson 2013;Grosman et al 2008;Lin et al 2010;Lycett and von Cramon-Taubadel 2013;Lycett et al 2010;Sholts et al 2012). Morphometric analyses of ceramics, too, have become common, in comparing shapes using either 2D profile drawings that presuppose wheelmade rotational symmetry (Gilboa et al 2004;Smilansky 2008, 2011;Grosman et al 2014) or simplified representations of 3D objects (Selden et al 2014).…”

Section: Back To the Third Dimension In Archaeological Recordingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Excavation is Destruction Digitization: Advances in Archaeological Practice

Roosevelt

Cobb

Moss

et al. 2015

Journal of Field Archaeology

146

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This article modifies an old archaeological adage-''excavation is destruction''-to demonstrate how advances in archaeological practice suggest a new iteration: ''excavation is digitization.'' Digitization, in a fully digital paradigm, refers to practices that leverage advances in onsite, image-based modeling and volumetric recording, integrated databases, and data sharing. Such practices were implemented in 2014 during the inaugural season of the Kaymakç ı Archaeological Project (KAP) in western Turkey. The KAP recording system, developed from inception before excavation as a digital workflow, increases accuracy and efficiency as well as simplicity and consistency. The system also encourages both practical and conceptual advances in archaeological practice. These involve benefits associated with thinking volumetrically, rather than in two dimensions, and a connectivity that allows for group decision-making regardless of group location. Additionally, it is hoped that the system's use of almost entirely ''off-the-shelf'' solutions will encourage its adoption or at least its imitation by other projects.

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“…Research efforts are increasingly focused on the measurement and 3D documentation of medium and small archaeological finds, such as to study the technological and morphological variability of artefacts (Bretzke & Conard, 2012) and to create accurate models in a time-and resource-efficient manner (Olson et al, 2013). The study of ancient pottery is a crucial phase in the archaeological interpretation, from different points of view, as for example the chronological or cultural aspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D MODELING OF TWO LOUTERIA FRAGMENTS BY IMAGE-BASED APPROACH

Ebolese

Brutto

Burgio

2017

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

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ABSTRACT:The paper presents a digital approach to the reconstruction and analysis of two small-sized fragments of louteria, a kind of large terracotta vase, found during an archaeological survey in the south of Sicily (Italy), in the area of Cignana near the Greek colony of Akragas (nowadays Agrigento). The fragments of louteria have been studied by an image-based approach in order to achieve high accurate and very detailed 3D models. The 3D models have been used to carry out interpretive and geometric analysis from an archaeological point of view. Using different digital tools, it was possible to highlight some fine details of the louteria decorations and to better understand the characteristics of the two fragments. The 3D models provide also the possibility to study and to document these archaeological finds in a digital environment.

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Evaluating morphological variability in lithic assemblages using 3D models of stone artifacts

Cited by 71 publications

References 25 publications

A geometric morphometric relationship predicts stone flake shape and size variability

A geometric morphometric relationship predicts stone flake shape and size variability

Excavation is Destruction Digitization: Advances in Archaeological Practice

3D MODELING OF TWO LOUTERIA FRAGMENTS BY IMAGE-BASED APPROACH

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