Course coordinator
Dr Eva Francesca Martellotta
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
This course offers instruction in the theoretical, archaeological and experimental basis of stone artefact analysis in an Australian and global context. The course covers lithic technology in human evolution, reconstructing past settlement and subsistence practices, typology and classification, lithic assemblage analysis, as well as applications in heritage management. Students will become familiar with identifying fracture mechanics and fracture features, flintknapping and replication, recording and analysing stone artefacts, experimental research design, lithic illustration, conjoining, and familiarity with new directions in lithic analysis.
This course trains students in stone artefact identification and the principles of contemporary lithic analysis. It will cover applications in both research and heritage. The course takes a two-hour lecture and two-hour laboratory format in order to provide opportunity to examine, observe, identify and analyse stone artefacts. Lectures will cover the core theoretical and methodological aspects of lithic analysis with reference to key case studies and examples. The course covers fracture mechanics, raw materials, fracture feature identification, classification theory and practice, major periods and changes in lithic technology throughout human evolution, refitting, illustration, attribute and debitage analysis, use-wear analysis, heritage applications as well as new directions in lithic analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of replicative flintknapping with hands-on tuition face to face.The assessment includes two in-class practical exams, and a report on an artefact assemblage. Lectures will be recorded and available online each week, and practicals will be face-to-face, with some online practical content. Attendance of the face to face practicals is mandatory. All face to face practical sessions will take place in the Archaeology Teaching Laboratory on the third floor of Michie Building.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is expected that students will have completed introductory level subjects in Archaeology: ARCA1000 and ARCS1001. It is recommended that students also first complete ARCS2010, ARCA2020 and ARCS2000.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ARCA1001 or ARCS1001, ARCA1000
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ARCS2010, ARCA2020, ARCS2000
Course contact
School enquiries
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Eva Francesca Martellotta
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
To train students in stone artefact identification and fundamental principles of traditional and contemporary lithicﾠanalysis. The course will cover applications in research and heritage.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand and discuss key ideas about lithics - Understand and critique core disciplinary literature, and make connections between theory and practice.
LO2.
Identify stone artefacts - You will be able to identify a range of complete and broken flaked and ground stone artefacts. You will be able to identify common raw material and stone tool types found in Australia and elsewhere. You will be able to name fracture features and list the types of features commonly found on different kinds of artefacts.
LO3.
Carry out basic lithic analysis - You will be able to understand and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to lithic analysis in Australia and abroad. You will be armed with the basic skills of artefact recording, summarising, comparing and reporting, including some basic statistical anlaysis.
LO4.
Construct a research design for specific analyses - You will be able to design detailed lithic analyses for different kinds of research questions and for heritage applications.
LO5.
Illustrate stone tools - You will be able to determine the appropriate kinds of artefacts to illustrate for different purposes as well as the appropriate style of illustration for different artefact types.
LO6.
Understand heritage applications for lithics - Understand the requirements of different kinds of heritage work, from survey to specialist analysis to curation and presentation of finds.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | In class lithics exam 1 | 25% |
20/08/2024 |
| Examination | In class lithics exam 2 | 25% |
1/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Lithic Analysis Report | 50% 2000 words |
4/11/2024 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
In class lithics exam 1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
20/08/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
In class laboratory exam testing students on artefact attributes and types for Weeks 1-4. Questions will be multiple choice, true or false, and illustration based and may include some short answer questions.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The Use of AI: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 55 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair your ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a deferred examination, and be permitted to sit your in-class, mid-semester or end-of-semester examinations at a later scheduled time. For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
In class lithics exam 2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
1/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L06
Task description
This exam is an in class laboratory exam covering all material from weeks 1-9. Questions will be object based, multiple choice, true or false, short answer, and illustration based.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The Use of AI: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 55 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair your ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a deferred examination, and be permitted to sit your in-class, mid-semester or end-of-semester examinations at a later scheduled time. For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Lithic Analysis Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50% 2000 words
- Due date
4/11/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students will each be given an ‘assemblage’ of stone tools with contextual information about the ‘site’ these artefacts came from. The assemblage is broken into three levels (upper, middle and lower) with a different technology and composition of raw materials in each. The study will employ classification and attribute analysis to identify reduction techniques, describe and compare artefacts from each level and will provide interpretive statements about technological change and behaviour at the site (such as organisation of technology, changes in provisioning, changes in raw material rationing, etc). Key artefact types must be illustrated. The report will also employ some common indices of fragmentation, identifiability and richness for each level to assess the information potential and significance of the site.
The goals of the assignment are to enable students to write a research design, perform a manageable lithic analysis, make choices about appropriate variables, take appropriate measurements, compile and present data, and develop conclusions about the materials while reflecting on the research goals. Generation of summary tables and basic statistics will be necessary. These analytical procedures will be demonstrated and taught in class before the assignment is due.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The Use of AI: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is determined from the summed total marks for the two exams and the lithic report. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial:https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
UQ Assignment Writing Guide: Steps for writing assignments - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The Marks and feedback for the final assessment item are to only be made available to the student on Grade Release Day at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Required Resources:
Clarkson, C. and S. O’Connor 2013 An introduction to stone artefact analysis. In Paterson, A. and J. Balme (Eds) Archaeology in Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses 2nd Ed. Pgs: 151-206. Boston: Blackwell, Mass.
Andrefsky, W. Jr 2005 Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis (2nd Ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/10.1017/CBO9780511810244
Shea, J. 2017. Stone Tools in Human Evolution: behavioral differences among technological primates. Cambridge University Press, UK.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/10.1017/9781316389355
Smith, C. and Burke, H., 2007. Digging it up down under: A practical guide to doing archaeology in Australia. Springer Science & Business Media. Chapters 6, 9 and 10
White, Peter. Writing the Past. In Archaeology in practice : a student guide to archaeological analyses / edited by Jane Balme and Alistair Paterson. 2015. Chapter 15
White, J.P., 1983. Report writing and publication. Australian Field Archaeology: A Guide to Techniques. Canberra, AIAS, pp.171-178.
General Texts on Lithics:
Andrefsky, W. (Ed.) 2008 Lithic Technology:ﾠ Measures of Production, Use, and Curation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Andrefsky, W. 2005ﾠLithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysisﾠ(2nd Ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bordaz, J. 1970 Tools of the Old and New Stone Age. New York: natural History Press.
Clarkson, C. 2007 Lithics in the Land of the Lightning Brothers: The Archaeology of Wardaman Country, Northern Territory. Terra Australis 25. Canberra: ANU E Press.
Crabtree, D.E. 1972 An Introduction to Flintworking. Occasional Papers of the Idaho State University Museum. Idaho: Idaho State University Museum.
Dibble, H. andﾠ Debenath 1994 Handbook of Paleolithic Typology: Lower and Middle Paleolithic of Europe. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Museum.
Holdaway, S. and N. Stern 2004 A Record in Stone: The Study of Australia’s Flaked Stone Artefacts. Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.
Inizan, M-L, Reduron-Ballinger, M., Roche, H., Tixier, J. 1999. Technology and terminology of knapped stone.ﾠ Cercle de Recherches et d’Etudes Prehistoriques, Nanterre.
Kardulius, P.N. and R.W. Yerkes (Eds) 2003 Written in Stone: The Multiple Dimensions of Lithic Analysis. Lanham: Lexington Books
Kooyman, B.P. 2000 Understanding Stone Tools and Archaeological Sites. Calgary: University of Calgary Press and University of New Mexico Press.
Odell, G.H. 2003ﾠLithic Analysis. New York: Springer.
Shea, J. 2013 Stone Tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Near East: a guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Swanson, E.H. (Ed.) Lithic Technology: Making and Using Stone Tools. Pp.97-102. The Hague: Mouton Publishers.
Tixier, J. 1974 A Glossary for the Description of Stone Tools: with special reference to the epipalaeolithic of the Maghreb. Newsletter of Lithic Technology, Special Publication.
Waldorf, D.C. 2006 The Art of Flintknapping. Branson, Co.: Moundbuilder Books.
Whittaker, J. 1994 Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Texts and Resources on use-wear Analysis:
Marreiros, J. M., Gibaja Bao, J. F., & Ferreira Bicho, N. (2015). Use-Wear and Residue Analysis in Archaeology (1st ed.). Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer.
AWRANA - Association of Archaeological Wear and Residue Analysts https://awrana.org/home/
S. A. Semenov’s Prehistoric Technology (1970) English Translation & Free Download https://awrana.org/s-a-semenovs-prehistoric-technology/
Students should take the time to watch knapping videos on YouTube. The lecturers also have relevant DVDs on flintknapping that can be borrowed.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
1. Introduction to lithics and fracture mechanics In person Learning outcomes: L02 |
Practical |
Practical 1 1. Hard hammer and bipolar flaking and fracture features Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
2. Describing Lithics: Typology & Technology In person Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 2 1. Attribute identification Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
3. Principles of classification In person Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 3 1. Single and multiplatform cores and knapping Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
4. Attribute, debitage and refit analysis In person Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 4 1. Database use and flake and core measurements Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
5. New Directions for Lithic Analysis In Person |
Practical |
In-Class Exam In-class laboratory exam for weeks 1-4. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
6. Lower Palaeolithic & Early Stone Age In Person Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 5 1. Choppers, handaxes, cleavers and bifacial knapping Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
7. The Middle Palaeolithic & Middle Stone Age In Person Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 6 1. Levallois flaking 2. Scraper types and retouch measurement Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
8. Australian and New Guinean lithics In Person Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 7 Examining Australian and New Guinean lithic material Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
9. Upper Palaeolithic & Later Stone Age/Neolithic In Person Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Practical |
Practical 8 Blade technology, cores and measurements. In-class Review for exam Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break No Class |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
10. Lithics in Heritage Management In Person Learning outcomes: L06 |
Practical |
In-Class Exam In-class laboratory exam for weeks 1-9. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
11. Introduction to Use-wear Analysis In Person |
Practical |
Practical 9 Using Stone tools at ATARC & Producing use-wear Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
12. Interpreting Lithics In Person Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Practical |
Practical 10 1. Use-wear analysis using microscopes Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Recap and overview of course In Person Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Practical 11 Metric analysis and data handling for lithics report Learning outcomes: L04, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.