Special Issue: Reduction Sequence, Chaîne Opératoire, and Other Methods: The Epistemologies of Different Approaches to Lithic Analysis. Learning From Lithics: A Perspective on the Foundation and Future of the Organization of Technology.

Abstract

The history of an organization of technology approach is complicated. Rather than trace specific strands, we exam-ine its paradigm-like nature and connections to skeptical inquiry, as well as discussing the main studies influenc-ing our own work. An examination and modification of a classic diagram of levels of analysis in this approach, especially the addition of a consideration of the life history of lithic artifacts, facilitates application. For such ap-plication, the importance and future of experimentation, both flintknapping and simulation, are discussed. Lithic analysts are called to identify a common assemblage which we can use to test our approaches and methods.This special issue is guest edited by Gilbert B. Tostevin (Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota). This is article #3 of 7.