lithische

Lithische is an adjective used in geology, archaeology and related disciplines to denote stone-related materials, properties or technologies. It derives from Greek lithos, stone, with the suffix -isch. The form lithische agrees with the noun it modifies (for example lithische Materialien, lithische Werkzeuge).

In geology and petrology, lithisch describes rock fragments or components derived from pre-existing rocks within a sediment or rock mass. Examples include lithische Fragments in sandstone or lithische Klasten within breccias and conglomerates. The term helps distinguish lithic from non-lithic components such as mineral crystals formed in situ or chemical precipitates.

In archaeology and paleaoanthropology, lithische Werkzeuge are stone tools produced by flaking or knapping from lithic raw materials such as flint (chert), obsidian, quartzite or basalt. The study of lithische Technologie and lithische Industrie examines tool production sequences, core and flake technologies, and retouched implements. This lithic approach is central to interpreting Stone Age technology and subsistence strategies in many regions.

The term is widely used in German-language literature and is sometimes encountered in English-language texts as lithic. Usage varies with noun gender and grammatical case, reflecting its function as a descriptive adjective rather than a fixed noun.