Abstract
[Truncated] Quartz technology is the bane of many an archaeologist
and is often neglected as a primary source of information
in prehistoric investigations. Quartz was the main stone
used in tool manufacture in many parts of the world,
including Australia and particularly southwestern
Australia. This thesis uses quartz technology,
specifically the flake debitage component, to investigate
problems of interpreting assemblages in the absence of
stratigraphic controls or other chronological markers,
and to determine technological change over 40,000 years
in the Helena River Valley, on the Swan Coastal Plain of
southwestern Australia.
Assemblages from twelve excavations on the Swan
Coastal Plain were used in the debitage analysis; four of
these assemblages were undated. First a classificatio
system was developed to categorize the assemblages. In
addition, a binocular microscope was used for the
categorization of individual pieces and for the
identification of edge damage. Measurements were taken
of flake and platform size and flake shape and then
statistically described. A broad chronological framework
was proposed, based on the dated assemblages, to enable
comparison of debitage within and between sites and areas
on the Swan Coastal Plain.
and is often neglected as a primary source of information
in prehistoric investigations. Quartz was the main stone
used in tool manufacture in many parts of the world,
including Australia and particularly southwestern
Australia. This thesis uses quartz technology,
specifically the flake debitage component, to investigate
problems of interpreting assemblages in the absence of
stratigraphic controls or other chronological markers,
and to determine technological change over 40,000 years
in the Helena River Valley, on the Swan Coastal Plain of
southwestern Australia.
Assemblages from twelve excavations on the Swan
Coastal Plain were used in the debitage analysis; four of
these assemblages were undated. First a classificatio
system was developed to categorize the assemblages. In
addition, a binocular microscope was used for the
categorization of individual pieces and for the
identification of edge damage. Measurements were taken
of flake and platform size and flake shape and then
statistically described. A broad chronological framework
was proposed, based on the dated assemblages, to enable
comparison of debitage within and between sites and areas
on the Swan Coastal Plain.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
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| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 1990 |