Identifying style in Australian stone artefacts: An attempt to provide a theoretical basis

Abstract

Archaeologists in Australia have long had problems with stone tools. Aboriginal flaked stone artefacts quickly acquired the reputation of being amorphous and resistant to traditional archaeological analytical techniques. While it is recognised that this is a Eurocentric perception, it has nevertheless resulted in a reluctance to use stone artefacts as a source of cultural information. This paper suggests a theoretical framework articulated with a methodological approach to the study of Australian flaked stone artefact assemblages in a way which aims to identify style.