End scrapers were an "all purpose" tool that have been associated with processes
such as planing or shaving vegetal resources, shaping bone or antler implements,
and to render hide into usable fabric. Examining end scrapers from four different
archaeological sites on the North Umpqua River of southwestern Oregon provided
interesting data regarding the use of these tools over time. Each site consists of at
least one, or several, occupational components providing an opportunity to
compare similarities and differences between sites. Analyses rely in part on the
comparison of multi-dimensional characteristics, or allometry, of the stone tools.
Statistically, the relationship between the length of an end scraper and its thickest
point has been previously suggested to be demonstrative of the original size of the
tool. A similar conclusion was acquired during this analysis, which then sought to
determine if a discard ratio for each site could be established based on the length
and edge angle of the end scrapers. The discard ratio was originally thought to
represent a reflection of functional efficiency, differential resource processing, or
material availability. A bulk analysis of material types from the overall
assemblages and a comparison of end scraper composition suggested intensive use
of obsidian, the non-local material. Overall, trends could not be demonstrated
using the discard ratio to represent the degree of use as end scrapers size depends
on lithic technology, material availability, and perhaps a specific need. Perhaps the
most intriguing outcome of this study relates to the individual Middle Archaic
component at the Meg's Keep site. Based on the large obsidian artifact
assemblage, this site is thought to have been a task specific location and that the
large number of end scrapers recovered were manufactured elsewhere and imported
to the site. Comparing end scrapers at each site suggested that Type 1 scraper
(≥7.5 mm) may be an indicator of curation. The analyses indicate that Type 1 CCS
end scrapers at Canton Creek, Dry Creek, and Boulder Confluence out-numbered
Type 3 scrapers 20 to 4. In contrast, the large number of end scrapers at Meg's
Keep had a total of 9 Type 1 end scrapers. From the above data, Type 1 and Type
3 end scrapers appear to be a direct result of the availability of raw material and
potentially an indicator of curation. / Graduation date: 2005
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/29802 |
| Date | 15 December 2004 |
| Creators | Kelly, Christopher J. |
| Contributors | Brauner, David R. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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