An analysis of artifact morphology and material frequence in eight early to middle Labrador archaic lithic assemblages from Northern Labrador

Abstract

The lithic collections from eight early to middle Labrador Archaic sites (HeCi-11, HdCg-07, HdCh-37, HdCg-33, HdCg-19, HcCh-07, HiCj-05, and HdCh-09) were examined to determine if material and morphological trends might be recognized which relate to the cultural shift from the early to middle Labrador Archaic occupations of northern Labrador. This data was also used to explore the social and cultural variables which permeate these collections. Material frequencies within the collections were analyzed and factors including the distance from each site to the source areas of lithic types, as well as risk management within the lithic reduction process were determined to have had an impact on Labrador Archaic lithic strategies. -- Much work has been done on this region and time period and some of these changes in lithic artifact assemblages have been remarked upon, but a mathematical metric and material description of these changes does not currently exist in the extant literature. This analysis was undertaken on collections excavated over the last 40 years in order to fill in that gap and create a firm quantitative basis from which future research can be launched. Towards this end traditional measurement techniques as well as modern digital approaches to artifact analysis were undertaken in order to better understand any such morphological shifts.