Chipped-Stone Crescents from the Terminal Pleistocene–Early Holocene of Far Western North America and the Transverse Projectile Point Hypothesis

IF 3.2 1区 历史学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory Pub Date : 2024-08-31 DOI:10.1007/s10816-024-09665-6
Daniel S. Amick
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Abstract

Crescents are a distinctive component of several terminal Pleistocene–early Holocene (TP–EH) toolkits in the Far West, including the concave-based projectile point techno-complex, as demonstrated by archaeological associations, toolstone preferences, and manufacturing techniques. Archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence suggests regular association with periods of wetland expansion across this region. Numerous speculative hypotheses have been proposed for the possible function(s) of these tools, but little direct investigation or testing has been conducted. This study uses the method of multiple working hypotheses to investigate these competing propositions. It draws on multiple lines of evidence from morphological and techno-functional patterns of tool damage and rejuvenation developed from a large artifact assemblage; analogs from ethnographic, historic, and archaeological cases; paleoenvironmental and ecological observations; an actualistic experimental program; and applications of foraging and design theories. Results show how morphological variation often reflects original blank form and individual tool life-history. Patterned recycling strategies include occasional manufacture from concave-base projectile points and conversion into gravers. The combined evidence best supports the hypothesized interpretation of lunate crescents as specialized transverse projectile points used primarily for open-water hunting of waterfowl by early foragers of the Great Basin and California, especially during episodic and localized increases in their abundance. These conclusions contribute to the growing picture of diversity and adaptive flexibility among early foragers in the Far West and further indicate waterfowl as a significant but temporally and spatially variable dietary component.

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北美远西更新世末期-全新世早期的碎石月牙和横向弹丸点假说
新月形石是远西地区几个末更新世-全新世早期(TP-EH)工具包(包括以凹面为基础的弹丸点技术复合体)的独特组成部分,考古学关联、工具石偏好和制造技术都证明了这一点。考古和古环境证据表明,该地区的湿地扩张时期与此有规律的联系。关于这些工具的可能功能,人们提出了许多推测性假设,但很少进行直接调查或测试。本研究采用多重工作假设的方法来研究这些相互竞争的命题。它利用了多种证据,包括从一个大型文物组合中发展出来的工具损坏和再生的形态和技术功能模式;人种学、历史学和考古学案例中的类比;古环境和生态观察;实际实验项目;以及觅食和设计理论的应用。研究结果表明,形态变化往往反映了原始坯料的形态和个体工具的生活史。模式化的回收策略包括偶尔从凹底射钉点制造和转换为凿形器。综合证据最能支持月牙形新月点的假设解释,即月牙形新月点是专门的横向射点,主要用于大盆地和加利福尼亚早期觅食者在开阔水域狩猎水禽,尤其是在水禽数量偶发和局部增加的时期。这些结论有助于进一步说明远西地区早期觅食者的多样性和适应灵活性,并进一步表明水禽是一个重要的、但在时间和空间上可变的食物组成部分。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
6.30
自引率
8.70%
发文量
43
期刊介绍: The Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, the leading journal in its field,  presents original articles that address method- or theory-focused issues of current archaeological interest and represent significant explorations on the cutting edge of the discipline.   The journal also welcomes topical syntheses that critically assess and integrate research on a specific subject in archaeological method or theory, as well as examinations of the history of archaeology.    Written by experts, the articles benefit an international audience of archaeologists, students of archaeology, and practitioners of closely related disciplines.  Specific topics covered in recent issues include:  the use of nitche construction theory in archaeology,  new developments in the use of soil chemistry in archaeological interpretation, and a model for the prehistoric development of clothing.  The Journal''s distinguished Editorial Board includes archaeologists with worldwide archaeological knowledge (the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Africa), and expertise in a wide range of methodological and theoretical issues.  Rated ''A'' in the European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH) Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is rated ''A'' in the ERIH, a new reference index that aims to help evenly access the scientific quality of Humanities research output. For more information visit: http://www.esf.org/research-areas/humanities/activities/research-infrastructures.html Rated ''A'' in the Australian Research Council Humanities and Creative Arts Journal List.  For more information, visit: http://www.arc.gov.au/era/journal_list_dev.htm
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