Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The term artifact denotes a framework for conceptualizing
the physio-chemical modification of environmentally occurring
raw materials by human, cultural processes. This thesis
examines the categories of artifact analysis, and integrates
these into a development sequence. This sequence represents
the processes which pattern all artifacts. They can be
summarized as occurring at four stages: (1) selection of
raw materials; (2) construction techniques; (3) artifact use
and function; (4) formation of the archaeological record.
The result of this integration is a heuristic model that
recognizes the unity and complexity of cultural materials,
and provides a base for processual studies. A separate part
of this thesis employs Strombus gigas shell artifacts from
the prehistoric cultures of the Caribbean to indicate the
utility of the artifact development sequence as a theoretical
conceptualization.
the physio-chemical modification of environmentally occurring
raw materials by human, cultural processes. This thesis
examines the categories of artifact analysis, and integrates
these into a development sequence. This sequence represents
the processes which pattern all artifacts. They can be
summarized as occurring at four stages: (1) selection of
raw materials; (2) construction techniques; (3) artifact use
and function; (4) formation of the archaeological record.
The result of this integration is a heuristic model that
recognizes the unity and complexity of cultural materials,
and provides a base for processual studies. A separate part
of this thesis employs Strombus gigas shell artifacts from
the prehistoric cultures of the Caribbean to indicate the
utility of the artifact development sequence as a theoretical
conceptualization.
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