Rock, Paper,….XRF….: Continuing Improvements to the UI-OSA Lithic Raw Material Assemblage

Summary

The University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) has an expansive lithic raw material assemblage with a 30 year compilation history. The largest portion contains multiple samples of 75 in-state lithic types while the second portion contains multiple samples from the seven surrounding and 16 additional states. A revision and reorganization of the OSA collection was completed in 2006 to provide a more systematic and consistent approach to lithic identification and sourcing. This includes a web-based version affording access to our entire assemblage from anywhere. Originally a macroscopic identification system, we soon realized the need for expansion. We have recently posted multiple, 20x microscopic images for all in-state samples. Geologic thin sections of numerous samples are currently in production through collaborative research with anticipated application to the entire in-state assemblage. Using a portable XRF, we are building a chemical and elemental database for all in-state samples. These expanded analytical tools will afford us the opportunity to investigate several geographically and stratigraphically problematic types within the in-state assemblage. Since lithic materials so often dominate prehistoric artifact assemblages, a well-developed comparative assemblage offering more than macroscopic analysis, could afford researchers the opportunity to address a myriad of anthropological questions.

SAA 2015 abstracts made available in tDAR courtesy of the Society for American Archaeology and Center for Digital Antiquity Collaborative Program to improve digital data in archaeology. If you are the author of this presentation you may upload your paper, poster, presentation, or associated data (up to 3 files/30MB) for free. Please visit http://www.tdar.org/SAA2015 for instructions and more information.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Case Studies in Chert Sourcing and Identification   •
• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage