1. History Of Stone Tool Research.- Procurement.- Tool Manufacture.- Assemblage Variability.- Tool Use.- Behavioral Questions.- Perspectives.- 2. Procurement.- Formation Of Rock.- Igneous Rocks.- Sedimentary Rocks.- Metamorphic Rocks.- Summary.- Geomorphic Processes.- Defining The Problem.- Is This Material Local?.- What is the Source of the Material?.- Visual Characterization.- Hand Specimens.- Petrographic Techniques.- Geochemical Techniques.- Neutron Activation Analysis.- X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis.- PIXE and Similar Techniques.- Other Instrumental Types of Analysis.- General Remarks.- 3. Tool Manufacture.- Fracture Mechanics.- General Principles.- Types of Fracture.- Fracture Features.- Types Of Flaking And Flakers.- Percussion Flaking.- Pressure Flaking.- Primary And Secondary Modification.- Primary Modification.- Secondary Modification.- Ground Stone.- Manufacture-Ground Specimens.- Use-Ground Specimens.- Analyzing Ground Stone Tools.- 4. Assemblage Variability.- Detecting Vectors Of Information.- Raw Material.- Technology: Basic Partitioning.- Technology: Distinguishing Trajectories.- Morphology: Characterizing Shape.- Function.- Comparing Assemblages.- Comparing Class Structure.- Comparing Specific Classes.- Analyzing Unretouched Debris.- Individual Flake Analysis.- Mass Analysis.- Summary.- 5. Toolfunction.- Use-Wear Analysis.- Background.- Techniques.- Summary.- Residue Analysis.- Plant Remains.- Blood Residues.- Summary.- 6. Ecountering Pehistoric Bhavior.- Subsistence.- Food Procurement.- Food Processing.- Shelter, Facilities And Clothing.- Structures and Facilities.- Clothing.- Organization Of Mobility And Technology.- Tool Design.- Raw Material Procurement, Supply, and Use.- Complex Societies.- Production of Surplus Goods.- Material Replacement.- Concluding Remarks.- References.

This book was awarded the 2005 SAA Award for Excellence in Archaeological Analysis. It is a practical volume that does not intend to replace a mentor, but acts as a readily accessible guide to the basic tools of lithic analysis