Backed into a corner

Abstract

Descriptive terms for those specimens which archaeologists described as backed seem remarkably varied. Historically recognised backed forms have been labelled using terms such as ‘Geometric microlith’ for symetrical specimens and ‘Bondi point’ for asymetrical specimens. In classificatory systems used during the middle of the twentieth century, such as that proposed by McCarthy, Brammell and Noone (1946), these forms were often regarded as separate: the former being classed as a sub-class of the ‘pigmy’ implements called microliths, while the later being regarded as a member of the point class. In the latter part of the century it has been more common to place these various backed forms together, thereby creating a need for terminology to refer to the class of backed artefacts as a whole.