Reductive Technologies Manual: Preliminary Analysis Systems and Procedures

This report presents the structure and procedures for the reductive technologies artifact analysis of the Dolores Archaeological Program. The theoretical perspectives which underlie the analytical structure are outlined, as is the separation of the structure into four distinct but interrelated analysis systems. These systems are flaked lithic tools, flaked lithic debitage, nonflaked lithic tools, and worked bone/shelltools. The development of each system is traced from its original state in 1978 to its final form, and all systems are presented as appendixes. Analysis procedures are described in detail, including analyst training and testing, recording procedures, and the production of computer data files. For each analysis system, variables are artifact attributes, and values are the mutually exclusive states of attribute expression. Each variable and its values are defined, analytical decisions are explained, and cultural frameworks for interpreting the variables are suggested.