Thermolithofractography : a comparative analysis of cracked rock from an archaeological site and cracked rock from a culturally-sterile area, or, all 'R' is FCR unless it's a manuport

• Main Author: Kritzer, Kelly Norman
• Other Authors: Ball State University. Dept. of Anthropology.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Prehistoric peoples.; Indians of North America > Indiana > Henry County > Antiquities.; Fire.; Rocks > Fracture.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/185327; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/935946

Fire-cracked rock is often overlooked in archaeology. This study attempted to determine whether or not fire-cracked rock from the surface of an archaeological site located in a cultivated field can be differentiated from other cracked rocks. A study sample of 67 rocks from the surface of a prehistoric site located in a cultivated field and another study sample of 58 rocks from an adjacent area that was sterile of prehistoric human activities was collected. A third sample of 70 fire-cracked rocks excavated from features below the plowzone in a prehistoric site served as a control sample. The fracture surface morphologies of the control sample were examined for distinguishing characteristics, which were then compared to the study samples. Those cracked rocks from the study samples which exhibited similar characteristics were identified as fire-cracked rock. Ten fire-cracked rocks were thus observed within the on-site sample and the offsite sample included only one. === Department of Anthropology