Broadening perspectives on regional quarry-related studies

Abstract

Any productive or technological activity takes place in a social context and is embedded in a history of native practices, perceptions, and use of multiple landscapes. This paper explores topics that supplement and build upon technological and cultural historical approaches to quarry research. Briefly considered are: quarries as common ground and loci of group interaction; a taskscape/landscape approach to quarry selection and history of use; color and the selection of toolstone; and the relationship between settlement patterns, landscape learning, lithic preferences, quarry selection, social memory, and changing lithic technologies.