Document Type
Conference presentation
Publication Date
Spring 3-9-2024
Abstract
The farm fields of east-central Pennsylvania contain an abundance of artifacts that span much of regional prehistory. Not surprisingly, many of these artifacts have been collected by local amateurs. Here, we analyze an assemblage of projectile points collected from the Kramer Farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. We explore how morphometric attributes (e.g., size, shape), indices of retouch, and raw material vary in relation to projectile point type. Our analysis provides insight into projectile point design, lithic resource preferences, technological organization, and land use. Despite the imperfections that often characterize amateur collections and the controversy that surrounds their study, our analysis demonstrates that collaboration between archaeologists and collectors can be beneficial, as archaeologists gain access to artifact assemblages that expand our understanding of the past.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Newlander, Khori and Linda Zuniga (2024) Gaining Insight into Lithic Technology in Eastern Pennsylvania through the Study of an Amateur Collection. Poster presented at the 54th Meeting of the Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference, Ocean City, MD.
