Artifactual Evidence Research Articles

Occupational Specialization at Tikal, Guatemala: Stoneworking-Monument Carving

AbstractA recent article in American Antiquity discusses evidence for occupational specialization among the Classic Maya at Tikal, Guatemala. The purpose of this paper is to amplify that discussion through review of the artifactual evidence for stoneworking and monument carving as a specialized occupation at Tikal. It is suggested that this occupation was confined to a specific family line within a lineage, the members of which were artisans engaged in a variety of occupational specialties.

The Northeast Asian - Northwest American Microblade Tradition (NANAMT)

In 1935, N. C. Nelson raised the possibility of a prehistoric trans-Beringian migration. His hypothesis was unique in that it was based upon specific artifactual evidence. New data from northern British Columbia and comparative technotypological analysis of microblade core production provide additional support for Nelson's hypothesis. It is possible to recognize a Northeast Asian-Northwest American Microblade Tradition (NANAMT) and to define several subtraditions. The distribution of NANAMT manifestations through space and time indicate the spread of the tradition from its presumed origin in southern Siberia/northern China to other parts of Asia and across Beringia to the New World.The “spread” of the culture complex may have been brought about through diffusion, migration, or both. In evolutionary terms, it seems to be the Advanced Palaeolithic-Mesolithic northeast Asian equivalent of southwest Asia's microlithic industries.

Abandonment and Post-Abandonment Behavior at a Rural Central American House-Site

AbstractExamination of a recently abandoned modern rural house-site in northern Costa Rica was undertaken in an attempt to gain insights into the absence of comparable sites from the Precolumbian archaeological record. The site was thoroughly described, a number of hypotheses based on artifactual evidence were advanced, and the former occupants were then interviewed. Abandonment and post-abandonment behavior by the occupants and others stongly influenced the material culture remains and potential archaeological data. The site had been subjected to a number of alterations and artifacts found were of the lowest retentive priority. A number of problems relevant to archaeological investigation at such sites were elucidated.