Non-flaked Lithic Tools: Temporal-Spatial Dataset

The Reductive Technologies Group (RTG) was responsible for supporting the broad research goals of the DAP through the implementation of mid-level research design governing the collection and analysis of data from “artifacts which were manufactured by reductive, or subtractive techniques” (Phagan 1986a:79). The RTG was headed by Roger A. Moore between 1978 and 1979 and by Carl J. Phagan from 1979 to 1985, with the assistance of T. Homer Hruby between 1980 and 1984; supporting work was provided by crew chiefs Gail G. Snyder and Phillip D. Neusius. Through two integrated analytic systems, the RTG provided the “maximum latitude” (Phagan 1986a:81) needed to meet the scope of DAP research spanning the General Research Design (Phagan 1986b), Modeling Effort (Lipe 1981), and the 1978 Lithics Research Design (Knudson 1980). Both systems were designed to account for a high degree of anticipated variability in each artifact category and at several levels of analytic intensity. The DAP reductive technologies database is therefore organized by attribute rather than complete item. Independent datasets for each of the four preliminary analysis systems reflect the technological distinctions made between flaked lithic tools; the debitage created in their manufacture; modes of tool production incorporating pecked, polished, or ground techniques; and finally, culturally modified bone and shell.

The non-flaked lithic tool database contains 15,200 entries that reflect a full range of production investment “from small pieces of stone with some evidence of grinding to well-shaped metates and polished ornaments” (Wilshusen et al.1999:67).

Variables in the non-flaked lithic tools dataset have already been described by Wilshusen et al. (1999); see especially the section "Nonflaked Lithic Tools" by Cara C. Gulley in Chapter 3. In most cases, her descriptions are suitable for use as metadata and have been repeated almost verbatim here. Selected resources from the collection of published and unpublished DAP reports may have been used for clarification in some cases and will be appropriately referenced.