Justin Williams is an archaeologist interested in Stone Tool technology and the Paleoindian Period. Additionally, Justin teaches both Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology, seeking to innovate new methodologies to teach anthropological curriculum. Address: Columbia, SC
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM’s power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and non-cache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on th...
Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are ... more Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry—changing shape with changing size—distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of western North American Clovis points document clear allometric patterns, blades exhibiting more positive allometry than stems. Allometry was not an original design element of points but emerges as an integral character of their use-histories that requires control before attempting other inferences.
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM's power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and noncache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on the shape and size of hafts and blades. This work illustrates the importance of using accurate measurements of point components rather than estimates or proxies, which can lead to unfounded inferences. These analytical approaches and accompanying R code are easily transferable to other research questions of stone-tool use.
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM's power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and noncache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on the shape and size of hafts and blades. This work illustrates the importance of using accurate measurements of point components rather than estimates or proxies, which can lead to unfounded inferences. These analytical approaches and accompanying R code are easily transferable to other research questions of stone-tool use.
Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are ... more Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry—changing shape with changing size—distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of western North American Clovis points document clear allometric patterns, blades exhibiting more positive allometry than stems. Allometry was not an original design element of points but emerges as an integral character of their use-histories that requires control before attempting other inferences.
Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonabl... more Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry-changing shape with changing size-distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of
The degree of variability present in fluted hafted biface morphology across North America is ofte... more The degree of variability present in fluted hafted biface morphology across North America is often debated. In this work I use a series of ratio scale linear measurements to examine variability in Early Paleoindian period fluted hafted bifaces from seven different Culture Areas across North America. Instead of analysing the actual artifacts, measurements are taken on high resolution images of the hafted bifaces. I find that the Early Paleoindian period fluted hafted bifaces from the Northeast are significantly different from those found elsewhere in terms of base depth and flute length. These differences have wide reaching implications for large scale studies of Early Paleoindian hafted bifaces.
This paper applies the method of stylistic flake analysis of Williams and Andrefsky (2011) to the... more This paper applies the method of stylistic flake analysis of Williams and Andrefsky (2011) to the analysis of debitage from two middens from Cox Ranch Pueblo, a late Pueblo II (ca. –) period habitation site in west-central New Mexico. Previous research has suggested the multiethnic nature of site occupation based on the presence of two distinct methods for the manufacture of utilitarian ceramics and the site's location at the interface of two of the Southwest's traditional culture areas. This study samples debitage from two of the largest middens, each associated with a residential roomblock at the site, to determine if any of the stylistic trends found among the ceramic artifacts could be detected within the debitage from the site. Results show that there are in fact two different styles of flint knapping at the site, though both styles are present within each of the two midden assemblages. It is concluded that these two stylistic groups may relate to the two ethnic groups suggested to have co-resided at the site.
Five flint knappers produced both multidirectional cores and early stage bifaces. The debitage ass... more Five flint knappers produced both multidirectional cores and early stage bifaces. The debitage assemblages were compared to evaluate if, and to what degree, the debitage created by one flint knapper varies from that of other flint knappers. The debitage from these reduction episodes was then analyzed with commonly used and replicable debitage attributes. Each knapper was evaluated in terms of his/her individual consistency, and the debitage produced was tested for each ratio scale debitage attribute to ensure that the variability found between knappers was not a product of variation within the assemblages of the individual knappers. The debitage from the individual flint knappers was found to be highly variable between knappers for both technologies.
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM’s power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and non-cache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on th...
Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are ... more Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry—changing shape with changing size—distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of western North American Clovis points document clear allometric patterns, blades exhibiting more positive allometry than stems. Allometry was not an original design element of points but emerges as an integral character of their use-histories that requires control before attempting other inferences.
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM's power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and noncache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on the shape and size of hafts and blades. This work illustrates the importance of using accurate measurements of point components rather than estimates or proxies, which can lead to unfounded inferences. These analytical approaches and accompanying R code are easily transferable to other research questions of stone-tool use.
Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize an... more Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (LGM) is most often used in archaeology to characterize and differentiate groups of artifacts, but it can be used for much more. We demonstrate LGM's power to uncover new insights by exploring stone-tool allometry, modularity, and integration using a sample of 100 western North American Clovis points. Here, allometry concerns how stone tools change in shape as their size changes through their use-lives, and modularity and integration concern how the constituent parts of a tool work together. We show that Clovis points are surprisingly complex tools. When their blades and hafts are defined technologically, rather than arbitrarily, they unambiguously exhibit allometry, and their hafts and blades are modular and highly integrated. We use these analyses to further explore questions about Clovis points, including the differences between cache and noncache points. Finally, we use heuristic haft-size categories to examine functional constraints on the shape and size of hafts and blades. This work illustrates the importance of using accurate measurements of point components rather than estimates or proxies, which can lead to unfounded inferences. These analytical approaches and accompanying R code are easily transferable to other research questions of stone-tool use.
Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are ... more Abstract Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry—changing shape with changing size—distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of western North American Clovis points document clear allometric patterns, blades exhibiting more positive allometry than stems. Allometry was not an original design element of points but emerges as an integral character of their use-histories that requires control before attempting other inferences.
Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonabl... more Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry-changing shape with changing size-distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of
The degree of variability present in fluted hafted biface morphology across North America is ofte... more The degree of variability present in fluted hafted biface morphology across North America is often debated. In this work I use a series of ratio scale linear measurements to examine variability in Early Paleoindian period fluted hafted bifaces from seven different Culture Areas across North America. Instead of analysing the actual artifacts, measurements are taken on high resolution images of the hafted bifaces. I find that the Early Paleoindian period fluted hafted bifaces from the Northeast are significantly different from those found elsewhere in terms of base depth and flute length. These differences have wide reaching implications for large scale studies of Early Paleoindian hafted bifaces.
This paper applies the method of stylistic flake analysis of Williams and Andrefsky (2011) to the... more This paper applies the method of stylistic flake analysis of Williams and Andrefsky (2011) to the analysis of debitage from two middens from Cox Ranch Pueblo, a late Pueblo II (ca. –) period habitation site in west-central New Mexico. Previous research has suggested the multiethnic nature of site occupation based on the presence of two distinct methods for the manufacture of utilitarian ceramics and the site's location at the interface of two of the Southwest's traditional culture areas. This study samples debitage from two of the largest middens, each associated with a residential roomblock at the site, to determine if any of the stylistic trends found among the ceramic artifacts could be detected within the debitage from the site. Results show that there are in fact two different styles of flint knapping at the site, though both styles are present within each of the two midden assemblages. It is concluded that these two stylistic groups may relate to the two ethnic groups suggested to have co-resided at the site.
Five flint knappers produced both multidirectional cores and early stage bifaces. The debitage ass... more Five flint knappers produced both multidirectional cores and early stage bifaces. The debitage assemblages were compared to evaluate if, and to what degree, the debitage created by one flint knapper varies from that of other flint knappers. The debitage from these reduction episodes was then analyzed with commonly used and replicable debitage attributes. Each knapper was evaluated in terms of his/her individual consistency, and the debitage produced was tested for each ratio scale debitage attribute to ensure that the variability found between knappers was not a product of variation within the assemblages of the individual knappers. The debitage from the individual flint knappers was found to be highly variable between knappers for both technologies.
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from that of other flint knappers. The debitage from these reduction episodes was then analyzed with
commonly used and replicable debitage attributes. Each knapper was evaluated in terms of his/her
individual consistency, and the debitage produced was tested for each ratio scale debitage attribute to
ensure that the variability found between knappers was not a product of variation within the assemblages of the individual knappers. The debitage from the individual flint knappers was found to be highly
variable between knappers for both technologies.
from that of other flint knappers. The debitage from these reduction episodes was then analyzed with
commonly used and replicable debitage attributes. Each knapper was evaluated in terms of his/her
individual consistency, and the debitage produced was tested for each ratio scale debitage attribute to
ensure that the variability found between knappers was not a product of variation within the assemblages of the individual knappers. The debitage from the individual flint knappers was found to be highly
variable between knappers for both technologies.