Special Issue: Reduction Sequence, Chaîne Opératoire, and Other Methods: The Epistemologies of Different Approaches to Lithic Analysis. Introduction.

Abstract

Lithic analysis is an increasingly multinational endeavor conducted by researchers with different cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. The debate between proponents of the reduction sequence and chaîne opératoire ap-proaches has shown that there is a mutual lack of understanding on many fronts. Yet lithic analysis cannot be pigeon-holed into these two types alone. This collection of papers was solicited from authors working in different national disciplinary contexts to provide an example and role model for future explicit discussions of epistemolo-gies, goals, and methods of lithic analysis advocated by diverse practitioners. This special issue of PaleoAnthropol-ogywas designed to help clarify the method, theory, and social context of international lithic analysis, and contains seven contributions:• Tostevin, G.: Introduction to the Special Issue • Bleed, P.: Loosening our Chaînes: Cognitive insights for the Archaeological Application of Sequence Models• Carr, P.J., and Bradbury, A.P.: Learning from Lithics: A Perspective on the Foundation and Future of the Or-ganization of Technology• Shott, M. J., Lindly, J.M., and Clark, G.A.: Continuous Modeling of Core Reduction: Lessons from Refitting Cores from WHS623x, An Upper Paleolithic Site in Jordan• Soressi, M., and Geneste, J.-M.: The History and Efficacy of the Chaîne Opératoire Approach to Lithic Analysis: Studying Techniques to Reveal Past Societies in an Evolutionary Perspective• Tostevin, G.: Levels of Theory and Social Practice in the Reduction Sequence and Chaîne Opératoire Methods of Lithic Analysis• Tryon, C. and Potts, R.: Approaches for Understanding Flake Production in the African AcheulianThis special issue is guest edited by Gilbert B. Tostevin (Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota). This is article #1 of 7.