artifactsstone

Artifactsstone is a term used in archaeology and geology to describe stones that function as artifacts themselves or bear direct evidence of human modification. The term blends artifact and stone and is employed in varying ways by researchers to categorize stones that have been shaped, used, or selected by humans, as distinct from unmodified lithic material such as cores or nodules.

Origin and usage

The term is not universally standardized and may appear primarily in classroom contexts, museum catalogs, or regional excavation reports. In some traditions, artifactsstone refers specifically to stones showing tool marks, edge modification, or residues that indicate use as tools or ritual objects. Its precise meaning can vary between disciplines and cultures.

Characteristics

Common features include percussion flake scars, retouch along edges, polish from use, cortex removal patterns, and residue traces such as phytoliths, mineral deposits, or adhered substances. Distinction from other lithic categories relies on demonstrable human agency in shaping or use, rather than on material type alone. Artifactsstone may encompass both deliberately shaped tools and naturally selected stones that acquired significance through use.

Types and examples

Examples include hand-held hammerstones, choppers, scrapers, and grinding stones, as well as stones used as tools without formal shaping or as ceremonial objects. In stratigraphic contexts, artifactsstone can help identify artifact-rich horizons, technological trends, and site function.

Significance and preservation

Artifactsstone contribute to reconstructions of technological strategies, subsistence practices, and cultural interactions. They require careful documentation, provenance recording, and conservation, with emphasis on context and dating information to support interpretation.

See also

Related topics include lithic analysis, tool-use wear, and artifact classification.