Dittman Cache Replication

Summary

Experimental replication of the fourteen bifacial blanks recovered from the Dittman cache, site (35MA375) located near Salem, Oregon, provided information that will help answer numerous technological questions as research on the site continues. This study attempts to determine if the bifaces were prepared at the Dittman site or transported there in their current state of reduction.

Our primary goal is to demonstrate what debitage would be present if the bifaces were manufactured at the site. Two sets of fourteen bifaces were produced in a controlled setting. One set by an experienced flintknapper and one set by two novice flintknappers. The individual reductions were timed, collected, and analyzed. Debitage was separated by size, type of termination and whether the platform was present, absent, or crushed.

The replicated bifaces were compared to the cache bifaces and the debitage was analyzed by reduction stage. The experimental data can be used to determine if the bifaces were produced at the Dittman site. The data can also be used to answer questions regarding the reduction strategy, technological approach, implications of obsidian quality selected, possible skill level of the flintknapper, and to determine if the cache was intended for local use or trade.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16389