High-Tech, Low-Tech: Lithic Technology in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia

Author(s): Kim Akerman

Editor(s): Jan Apel; Kjel Knutsson

Year: 2006

Summary

J. Whittaker: Ground-edge tools like axes, grinding equipment, unhafted flake blade and core cutting tools, hafted knives and scrapers, pressure flaked spearheads in 3 different lithic zones. Heat treatment of rock common.

Kimberley points as spear heads, knives, trade goods. Descriptions of flaking process. Man might have 5-20 at one time, but renew or replace maybe 4/week. Glass favored, takes 15 + minutes.

Composite spears 250-350 cm, ave wt 170 grams, so could be thrown with long spear thrower up to 140 yards, accurate to 80. Solid wood spears thrown with shorter desert style thrower often with adze on handle.

Cite this Record

High-Tech, Low-Tech: Lithic Technology in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Kim Akerman, Jan Apel, Kjel Knutsson. In Skilled Production and Social Reproduction. Pp. 323-346. Uppsala: Societas Archaeologica Upsaliensis. 2006 ( tDAR id: 423410)

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

General
Atlatl • stone • Tools

Geographic Keywords
AUSTRALIA

Temporal Keywords
Palaeolithic

Spatial Coverage

min long: 112.952; min lat: -43.648 ; max long: 153.606; max lat: -10.71 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 10222

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.