An experimental study on the methods of quantifying fragmented flake

Abstract

Counting the chipped stones constitutes the foundation of any subsequent descriptive-interpretive study. The accurate counting methods of fragmented chipped stones are the integral part of lithic analysis. In this article we have discussed the classification of flake fragments and we have introduced different methods of counting fragmented flakes when refitting is impossible. Seven different assemblages of chipped stones have been experimentally fractured and their fragments have been counted by using different methods in order to find the best method in counting fragments in archaeological assemblages.