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Date Permissions Signed

2-28-2015

Date of Award

Winter 2015

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Campbell, Sarah K.

Second Advisor

Koetje, Todd A.

Third Advisor

Stevenson, Joan C.

Abstract

As scientists, archaeologists sometimes accept interpretations proposed long ago as the standard. For this thesis, I chose to challenge the consensus hypothesis that edged cobbles (aka cobble choppers) were primarily used for wood-working activities in the Salish Sea during the Locarno Beach phase (3200-2400 BP). I questioned this hypothesis for two reasons: first, because previous analyses failed to use replication as an aid in recognizing relevant use-wear attributes; and secondly, because alternative uses for edged cobble during the Locarno Beach phase were never tested. My research tests the hypothesis that edged cobbles were used in the manufacture of stone weights for fishing activities at the Cherry Point site (45WH1) in northwest Washington. Using replicative experimentation, morphological, temporal, and spatial analyses, I analyzed the Cherry Point edged cobble assemblage and demonstrated that the occupants of Cherry Point not only used edged cobbles for wood-working but to also modify stone. Statistical analyses further supports this conclusion and indicates a strong association between edged cobbles and stone weights at Cherry Point. My research highlights the individual decisions and choices involved in the organization, maintenance, and use of edged cobbles at Cherry Point. It also demonstrates the value of information which can be gleaned from a humble tool and shows how taking a fresh look at an old artifact can allow archaeologists to discover new insights into the lives of prehistoric peoples in the Pacific Northwest.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/0v52-8j94

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

905661933

Subject – LCSH

Stone implements--Washington State--Cherry Point--Antiquities; Indians of North America--Washington (State)--Antiquities; Indians of North America--Implements--Washington (State); Excavations (Archaeology)--Washington (State)--Cherry Point; Cherry Point (Wash.)

Geographic Coverage

Cherry Point (Wash.); Washington (State)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Included in

Anthropology Commons

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