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Summary of Discussions
Author(s) -
Henry Donald O.,
Odell George H.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
archeological papers of the american anthropological association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.783
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1551-8248
pISSN - 1551-823X
DOI - 10.1525/ap3a.1989.1.1.237
Subject(s) - trace (psycholinguistics) , prehistory , archaeology , trace element , earth science , history , computer science , data science , geology , geochemistry , philosophy , linguistics
New techniques for obtaining information from lithic artifacts have burgeoned over the last few decades, but most are still in various stages of development, and are not yet routinely used by archaeologists. This paper argues that such new techniques will develop most rapidly and successfully if there is constant interplay between methodology and application; that is, between studies designed to increase our understanding of the physical, chemical, or biological processes underlying the technique to significant archaeological problems. As an example, trace element data from the Midwest and Northeast are used both to elucidate specific aspects of prehistoric cultures in those areas, and to study the geochemistry of trace elements in chert.