Parts of a Whole: Reduction Allometry and Modularity in Experimental Folsom Points

Summary

Points were designed for use but also for repair or rejuvenation. Points accumulated in the archaeological record at stages from first use to extensively resharpened. Thus, specimens of a single type could enter the record in a range of sizes and shapes. Resharpening allometry has been documented in many studies, including geometric-morphometric (GM) ones. One hypothesis is that flintknappers designed points as separate "modules" to accommodate their overall function. This hypothesis views the base and blade portion of points as two modules of whole units, designed to perform different tasks and thus treated differently during the design and resharpening process. Using geomorph and the recently developed zooaRchGUI that exploits the functionality of R through a graphical user interface, we conducted 3D GM analyses of a set of experimental Folsom points as they passed through successive stages of use, damage, and repair. We report degree of allometric variation in both base and blade as a function in part of number of resharpening episodes , and changing patterns of integration within separate base and blade modules. Results are a step toward calibrating point size and shape to number or degree of resharpening episodes.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20292