Generalization, inference and the quantification of lithic reduction

2010/11/05 by Peter Hiscock, Amy Tabrett · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Mathematics · #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Archaeology and Rock Art Studies #Generalization #Inference #Reduction (mathematics) #Archaeology #Computer science #History #Epistemology #Artificial intelligence #Mathematics #Philosophy

paper · doi:10.1080/00438243.2010.517669

openalex publication_date 2010/11/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11

Abstract

Today studies of lithic technology almost invariably employ models of the reduction process, and often models of the extent of reduction that specimens and classes of tools have undergone. Debates about the explanation of lithic assemblage variability are based upon methods for inferring the nature and extent of reduction. In this paper, we construct a conceptual framework for evaluating the competing reduction indices for estimating the extent of flake retouching. With this framework we offer a new synthesis of reduction indices and the debates that have surrounded their use.

Citations

• A geometric index of reduction for unifacial stone tools
• Experimental evaluation of Kuhn's geometric index of reduction and the flat-flake problem

Cited by

• Lithic reduction [wikipedia]

Related

• Snakes and Ladders: A technological approach to tool maintenance byproducts using module flake categories
• Technological Efficiency and Tool Curation
• A promising step toward objective quantification of flake scar sequences in stone artifact analysis
• Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
• The means of complexity in a lithic reduction sequence