Multiple uses for Australian backed artefacts
Date
2009
Authors
Robertson, Gail
Attenbrow, Val
Hiscock, Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Antiquity Publications
Abstract
Backed artefacts, otherwise microliths or backed bladelets, are key indicators of cultural practice in early Australia - but what were they used for? The authors review a number of favourite ideas - hunting, scarification, wood working - and then apply use-wear analysis and residue studies to three prehistoric assemblages. These showed contact with a wide range of materials: wood, plants, bone, blood, skin and feathers. These results are unequivocal - the backed artefacts were hafted and employed as versatile tools with many functions.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Australia; Backed artefacts; Craft; Inter-site variability; Microliths; Residue; Use-wear
Citation
Collections
Source
Antiquity
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
DOI
Restricted until
2037-12-31