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Theoretical issues in the interpretation of microartifacts
Author(s) -
Dunnell Robert C.,
Stein Julie K.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/gea.3340040103
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , geoarchaeology , identification (biology) , archaeology , epistemology , computer science , data science , history , philosophy , ecology , biology , programming language
Archaeology is increasingly partitioned into specialities. While this practice is not universally deleterious, frequently it limits the impact of novel concepts to small segments of the discipline. Such is the case with the idea of microartifacts, now treated by only a handful of specialists. After linking the definition of microartifact to techniques of sampling and identification, the unique and valuable information of small artifacts is obvious. Microartifacts, by virtue of their unique transport and deposition properties, compliment the information contained in macroartifacts. Thus, they should be a routine concern in all archaeological research. This implies a stronger integration of geoarchaeology and archaeology.