REPLICATIVE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS: A MODEL APPLIED TO THE VEIN QUARTZ ARTIFACTS FROM THE HOKO RIVER SITE

The focus of this study is replicative systems analysis of the hafted vein quartz microlith tools from the Hoko River site. Replicative systems analysis involves replicating the entire technological lithic system including the selection of raw lithic materials, heat treatment, reduction of raw lithic materials into tools and debitage, hafting of these tools, and functions of the tools: all aspects of the system until the artifacts are deposited into the archaeological context. The aboriginal lithic artifacts have been employed as the experimental controls.;Experimental heat treatment of the vein quartz was explored to determine whether or not heat treatment was a viable aspect of the aboriginal lithic system. A working model for heat treatment detection in aboriginal materials as provided as a result of this aspect of study.;The reduction technology employed at the Hoko River site was a bipolar process. Bipolar, as a reduction technology, is defined and explored thoroughly through replicative analysis.;The functional end products for the bipolar reduction subsystem were hafted in cedar handles. This hafting technology is discussed and demonstrated to determine its functional parameters.;The raw lithic material employed at the Hoko River site was vein quartz quarried from local deposits. This material was selected for attributes that were advantageous for the knapper.;Once the tools were hafted, replicative studies were undertaken to demonstrate tool function. It was determined that the hafted microliths functioned as fish processing tools.;The results of this study are discussed from the perspective of lithic utilization for flaked stone technology within Northwest Coast prehistory. A model for Northwest Coast lithic tool utilization and transportation is provided within this study.