Interpretative tools for studying Stone Age hunting technologies: experimental archaeology, macrofracture analyses and morphometric techniques
Date
2011-07-07
Authors
Pargeter, Justin
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Abstract
This dissertation contains an assessment and use of the macrofracture and morphometric methods for detecting Later Stone Age hunting weaponry. Two sets of replicated unretouched stone artefacts were trampled by cattle and humans to determine the formation of impact fractures under these, and knapping conditions. The results suggest that small frequencies (c. 3 %) of certain impact fracture types do occur on flakes subject to trampling and knapping forces. Macrofracture and morphometric data were recorded for stone artefacts (bladelets, backed artefacts and convergent pieces) from Robberg (c. 18 000 - 12 000 years ago) and Wilton (c. 8000 - 2000 years ago) Later Stone Age assemblages on the southern Cape coast. Impact fracture frequencies were similar in these two samples, but were significantly higher than in the trampling experiments. The morphometric data suggests, on average, congruence between Later Stone Age tools with impact fractures and experimental, archaeological and ethnohistoric spear and arrow tips. Based on these results it appears likely that Wilton backed artefacts, specifically segments, were used as arrowheads and it is unclear at present what weapon types were used during the Robberg phase although the use of spears seems probable.