archaeologyfieldwork.com - recommended books: identifying sites & artifacts

Topic ID #3418 - posted 5/18/2008 6:40 AM

recommended books: identifying sites & artifacts

Jennifer Palmer

Webmaster

This forum exists so that others can share what they have found, and ask for the opinions of others in the archaeological community. For those who don't have a lot of experience identifying archaeological sites and artifacts, I would like to begin a discussion thread compiling a list of recommended texts in this area. What are some good books for beginners, as well as more advanced texts with information that we could all benefit from?

Jennifer

Post ID#7637 - replied 5/18/2008 6:00 PM

I would recommend Field Methods in Archaeology by Hester, Shafer, and Feder. While it's not an introductory primer, it covers a lot of the basics and background and is also a comprehensively practical hands-on guide. The latest edition (seventh) is from 1997, so it's slightly dated in discussing some of the "high-tech" tools and methods, but for most of us that's no big deal.

Unfortunately, it seems that copies of this book are scarce now, and the best price I have seen (very brief search) is around $163 (gack!). (I think mine cost me around $100 new in 2002.) If you should come upon a copy at a more affordable price, go for it.

Post ID#7651 - replied 5/18/2008 9:54 PM

Charlie Hatchett

I like to drop in on knapper forums. Here's one that is pretty good:

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/17410/t/Florida-Rock.html

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/15045/t/Possible-Agate.html

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/16885/t/ROOTBEER-CHOCOLATE-Swirl-flint-collected--weekend--sale.html

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/16831/t/Found-some-rock.html?page=1

Additionally, I think Marie Wormington’s "Ancient Man in North America" presents a nice recapitulation of North American archeology. Lots of good images.

Post ID#7704 - replied 5/19/2008 5:29 PM

Manystones

If the link was previously posted on this forum I apologise for recycling. Whilst I personally haven't read it (yet), it is free;

Dr. Edward Harris, "Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy".

http://www.harrismatrix.com/

(N.B. may not work for "Safari" browsers).

Post ID#7734 - replied 5/19/2008 9:41 PM

FireArch

Moderator

^
You cant beat "free." No excuse for not owning a copy now

Post ID#7743 - replied 5/19/2008 10:53 PM

paleoface

For American archae: here's a pretty good beginner background primer, though a bit controversial:

The First Americans: In Pursuit of Archaeology's Greatest Mystery (Modern Library Paperbacks) by James Adovasio

For General worldwide archae: here's a pretty good beginner background primer, though a bit dated by today's standards.......an easy read for laypersons

The Field Guide to Early Man by David Lambert

After that, I could list texts ad nauseum but I believe it is important to branch out from specialization and incorporate texts like

How to Use your Eyes by James Elkins

Post ID#7780 - replied 5/20/2008 10:47 AM

Jennifer Palmer

Webmaster

If you can find copies of The Weans or Motel of the Mysteries, grab 'em. They both are very funny in their portrayals of just how very wrong our interpretations can be.

Motel of the Mysteries is available through the archaeologyfieldwork.com bookstore (shameless plug, I know):
http://astore.amazon.com/archaeology07-20/detail/0395284252/103-1912841-4007822

Jennifer

Post ID#7783 - replied 5/20/2008 11:17 AM

prisoner

A few books I like to reference now and then for lithic resources:

"Lithic Debitage: Context, Form, Meaning" by William Andrefsky, Jr.

http://www.uofupress.com/store/product121.html

"Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools" by John C. Whittaker

http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/whifli.html

and also by Whittaker

"American Flintknappers"

http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/whiame.html

Post ID#10495 - replied 7/28/2008 7:23 PM

StarRider

For identification of projectile points in the Mid-South...

Handbook of Alabama Archeology: Part 1 Point Types, Cambron and Hulse.

This book is out of print last I heard but used copies can be found occasionally. Old, but covers many types by the guys that named them.

Mississippi Projectile Point Guide, Samuel O. McGahey.

http://mdah.state.ms.us/pubs/arch_rept.html

Really well done guide by Dr. McGahey, I would highly recomend it.

Post ID#10502 - replied 7/28/2008 10:16 PM

Troy

I read the Weans years ago, when it first came out. It was borrowed and I haven't seen it since. If any of you run across a copy, please PM me. I would love to get another copy.

Thanks,
Troy

Post ID#10836 - replied 8/30/2008 9:30 PM

StarRider

Two companion volumes that while getting a little long in the tooth are still great for the SE US-

The Paleoindian and Early Archaic Southeast, edited by Anderson and Sassaman.

Archeology of the Mid-Holocene Southeast, same editors.

Post ID#11710 - replied 11/8/2008 1:19 AM

Alaskan_Lithics

The U of Alaska has some very informative publications:
http://www.uaf.edu/uapress/book/titlesearch.html?titleltr=c

I also use this site:

http://www.archive.org/index.php

Post ID#14943 - replied 8/8/2009 1:26 AM

SiletzSpey

As a beginner to flint knapping, I have found Noel D. Justice's books covering 1) California and Great Basin, 2) Midcontinental and Eastern, and 3) Southwestern US very informative. But being from Oregon, I'm in seach of something similar that covers the Northwest. Any recommendations?

--SiletzSpey

Post ID#14944 - replied 8/8/2009 12:20 PM

Alaskan_Lithics

Lithics By William Andrefsky

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