Studies of debitage as part of lithic analyses are frequently completed using mass analysis techniques, which can include size grading (using a set of graduated screens to sort debitage by size), weighing and counting the flakes recovered from a particular site or provenience within a site to estimate types of flaking activities. Other types of analysis include a careful piece-plotting of the distribution of debitage: if a site has not been disturbed the scatter pattern of waste flakes might tell you about flint-working activities. As a parallel study, experimental reproduction of flint knapping activities are also common, as illustrated in this photograph.
For More Information
Baker, Tony. 2006. The Flake: Stepchild of Lithic Analysis.
Healan, Dan M. 1995 Identifying lithic reduction loci with size-graded macrodebitage: A multivariate approach. American Antiquity 60(4):686-699.
Hiscock, Peter 2002 Quantifying the size of artefact assemblages. Journal of Archaeological Science 29:251-258.
Kvamme, Kenneth L. 1997 Patterns and models of debitage dispersal in percussion flaking. Lithic Technology 22(2):122-138.
Prentiss, William C. 1998 The reliability and validity of a lithic debitage typology: Implications for archaeological interpretation. American Antiquity 63(4):635-650.
Shott, Michael J. 1994 Size and form in the analysis of flake debris: Review and recent approaches. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 1(1):69-110.
