Evolutionary Perspectives for the Analysis of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: an Example from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-1994 Evolutionary Perspectives for the Analysis of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: An Example from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee Andrew P. Bradbury University of Tennessee, Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Bradbury, Andrew P., "Evolutionary Perspectives for the Analysis of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: An Example from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1994. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/4117 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Andrew P. Bradbury entitled "Evolutionary Perspectives for the Analysis of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: An Example from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Charles H. Faulkner, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Jan F. Simek, Walter E. Klippel Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Andrew P. Bradbury entitled "Evolutionary Perspectives for the Analysis of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: An Example from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee." I have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Charles H. Faulkner, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: � Accepted for the Council: ·----� Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of The Graduate School Evolutionary Perspectives For The Analysis Of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts: An Example From The Western Highland Rim of Tennessee A Thesis Presented for the Master of Arts Degree The University of Tennessee Andrew P. Bradbury May 1994 STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master's degree at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I agree that the Library shall make it available to the borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of the source is made. Permission for extensive quotation from or reproduction of this thesis may be granted by my major professor, or in his absence, by the Head of Interlibrary Services when, in the opinion of either, the proposed use of the material is for scholarly purposes. Any copying or the use of the material in this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature � � l'i1 Date -2. , /ipr-< ( '( ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis has benefitted from the contributions of a number of people. I would first like to thank my committee members, Drs. Charles H. Faulkner, Jan F. Simek, and Walter E. Klippel for their help and guidance throughout this research. I am indebted to Dr. Faulkner for all the help, encouragement, and friendship that he has shown over the many years that I have known him. His devotion to archaeology, extensive knowledge of Southeastern prehistory, and skill as a teacher have served, not only as a source of inspiration, but also as model of what it means to be a true professional. Drs. Simek and Klippel both gave freely of their time and provided many useful comments that added much 'grist to my mill of knowledge'. Discussions with Dr. Mike H. Logan, Department of Anthropology, helped to clarify my understanding evolutionary theory as applicable to cultural phenomena. Dr. John Philpot, Department of Statistics, made useful suggestions concerning statistical manipulation of the data. Dr. Jefferson Chapman, Director of the Frank H. Mcclung Museum, allowed me access to archaeological collections housed at the museum. I am also grateful to Dr. Chapman for giving me a start in archaeology thirteen years ago. The original funding for excavations of the Wells Creek material was provided by the Tennessee Department of Transportation in conjunction with the relocation of State ii Route 149, Houston County, Tennessee. The following people aided in the field excavations and/or laboratory processing of materials recovered during the CRM excavations: Allen Longmire, Sean Coughlin, Brad Creswell, Jim East, Patty Evans, Jay Franklin, Joanne Juchniewicz, Matt Matternes, Gerald Moore, Angela Tine, and Hakon Vigander. These individuals survived the 'Middle Tennessee sun fest' of July and August, 1990, the joys of waterscreening from January to March, and 'more science than humans should be allowed' during the lab processing of these materials. Chuck Bentz served as Principal Investigator. I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of such an excellent group of graduate students. Phil Carr, Sean Coughlin, Lance Greene, Maureen Hays, Hank McKelway, Noeleeri Mcilvenna, Steve Ousley, and Amy Young all deserve my thanks and recognition for the many informative discussions, friendship, encouragement, and the pursuit of decadence and otherwise socially unacceptable behavior that is part of the total college experience. Phil Carr also put together a 'blind test' as part of my micro-wear education, and has always had a few minutes to talk about 'the entity of life'; lithics. Joanne Juchniewicz has also offered much friendship and has been a source a numerous stimulating conversations regarding lithic analysis. I would also like to thank Terry Faulkner for the many words of encouragement and friendship iii she has offered. My two close friends; Jeff McMurry and Mike Morris provided a much needed break from the student life and the outlet with which to 'Torture' Knoxville. Most importantly, my sincere gratitude is extended to my parents; Phillip and Judith Bradbury, for their love, encouragement, and support over the years. Though they may not fully understand my somewhat bizarre fascination with lithics and prehistory they have always been very supportive of my work. My parents also provided a home, though not always knowingly, to many nodules of chert that 'followed me home' from numerous excavations. iv ABSTRACT The goal of this thesis is to develop an evolutionary framework for the analysis of prehistoric lithic artifacts. The principles of evolutionary theory are presented and then extended to the lithic artifact analysis. Methods are developed based on the theoretical framework. Lithic artifacts recovered from two Terminal Archaic Wells Creek phase sites in Houston County, Tennessee are used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of such an approach. Variability can be demonstrated with respect to morphology, technology, and function of lithic implements. Elements that may represent attributes under selective pressure are examined. The lithic material recovered from the two sites is shown to be quite distinct from other contemporary groups in the area. It is suggested here, based on similarities in both morphological forms and technology, that Wells Creek is related to the Riverton Culture and similar entities known from archaeological remains recovered from sites north of the study area. Radiocarbon dates for Wells Creek overlap those of Riverton and other similar groups. V TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I . INTRODUCTION. 1 II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION........................ 6 Environmental Background...................... 6 Geological Resources..................... 6 Faunal and Floral Resources.............. 9 Summary of Excavations....... ................. 12 Pitts Site............................... 12 Lockarts Chapel Site......... ............ 16 Radiocarbon Dates. 18 Raw Material Survey...................... 20 Overview of the Late Archaic.................. 22 Ledbetter................................ 22 Wade. 24 Riverton. 25 Wells Creek.............................. 29 Summary. ... 35 III. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES............ .......... 36 Evolution and Biological Organisms............ 36 Essentialism and Materialism .................. 42 The Essentialist View......... ........... 42 The Materialist View.... ................. 43 Application of Evolutionary Theory to Cultural Phenomena .............. : ........ 45 Operational Definitions ....................... 47 Evolution............ .................... 47 Variation................................ 48 Select ion. 4 8 Function. 4 9 Evolutionary Theory and Lithic Analysis....... 55 IV. ETHNIC MARKERS AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD.. 60 The Style/Function Dichotomy........... ....... 60 Ethnic Markers and Information Exchange....... 65 Ethnic Markers and the Wells Creek Assemblage. 6 8 Summary. 70 V. METHODS. 72 Debi tage Analysis. 73 Lithic Analysis Attribute Definitions .... 74 Raw Material and Source Area............. 78 Modified Chert Artifacts...................... 79 Technological/Morphological Analysis....