Abstract

Lithic artefacts recovered from intertidal and subtidal excavations range in integrity. This range includes unequivocal flaked and ground stone tools, clearly eroded lithics (which nevertheless demonstrate enough characteristic features to be categorized as artefacts), and ambiguous forms which are reminiscent of lithic artefacts in their general shape, size and contour, but which cannot by themselves be said to carry any indisputabe evidence of human alteration. This range of unequivocal to ambiguous is entirely expected within fluvial environments, but what we lack are any precise measurements or analogies which might aid us in determining if the 'reminiscent' features we find on the highly eroded 'artefacts' are demonstrably expected features. This paper will discuss issues surrounding the identification of highly eroded lithics, and explore the results of the experimental evaluation conducted as part of this research project.