Integrating Functional Analysis: Contributions from Use-Wear Analysis within the Broader Context of Human Behavior in Prehistoric North America

Many studies of lithic technology have utilized the concepts of economy and efficiency but rarely do they integrate direct evidence of tool function in conceptualizations of raw material economy. Similarly, use-wear analysts have produced a body of literature on the function of stone tools but have rarely integrated their results into the larger context of human behavior. Stone tool use-wear is often included as a separate section of archaeological reports and conclusions about tool function arising from use-wear analysis are rarely considered in conjunction with functional conceptions arising from tool morphology, assemblage composition, or spatial distribution. Recognizing the overall role that lithics play in complex economies requires a multifaceted approach to tool function. Function is not merely the physical use of a tool, but is contextual and complex, impacted by numerous factors, including climate, subsistence and settlement strategy, inter- and intragroup communication and competition, demography, and ideology. This symposium is aimed at fostering a more integrated approach to functional analysis; one that utilizes multiple datasets and highlights the wealth of information derived from use-wear analysis when incorporated into broader interpretations of prehistoric lifeways.