Fragmentation Resistant Measures of Chipped Stone Abundance and Size: Results of an Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Cattle Trampling on Surface Chipped Stone Scatters

Abstract

This study reports on the execution of a controlled experiment designed to address the impacts of cattle trampling on surface scatters of chipped stone found in Great Plains contexts. A key focus of the experiment’s design is an evaluation of the relationship between trampling duration and substrate compaction on the severity of artifact breakage. Results indicate that post-depositional artifact fragmentation can significantly distort common analytical approaches found within the archaeological literature. Namely, measures of artifact abundance, raw material proportions, and average artifact dimensions are all affected by the impacts of trampling fragmentation. Beyond a consideration of key variables in the process of trampling fragmentation and its effects on analysis, this study outlines analytical means to identify and control for this bias. Tell-tale indicators of trampling damage are described and prescriptive measures designed to mitigate against the effects of trampling are evaluated. Results indicate that if dealt with appropriately, fragmented assemblages should not to be dismissed as distorted beyond usefulness, but instead can be utilized to reveal latent information about past human behavior.