An examination of lithic technological variability at the site of Sheri Khan Tarakai, NWFP, Pakistan through experimental replication

Abstract

In a previous paper Morris and Ashton suggested that the interpretation of the relationship between experimental and archaeological lithic datasets by Inizan et al. had resulted in misleading conclusions regarding levels of economic development at the site of Sheri Khan Tarakai, North- West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Morris andAshton questioned the use of copper in the lithic production strategy and suggested that the quality of the raw material bore greater effect on the choice of strategy. Since this publication a programme of experimental work has been conducted focussing on a range of lithic production techniques and their resulting technological attributes, utilising raw materials collected near the site of Sheri Khan Tarakai. The results of this experimental study are presented here. The study suggests that there is a clear differentiation, in terms of platform technical attributes, between the indirect percussion and pressure techniques, however, the type ofindentor used has little effect upon these attributes.