Description: Stone tool analysis relies on a strong background in analytical and methodological techniques. However, lithic technological analysis has not been well integrated with a theoretically-informed approach to understanding how humans procured, made, and used stone tools. Evolutionary theory has great potential to fill this gap. This collection of essays brings together several different evolutionary perspectives to demonstrate how lithic technological systems are a byproduct of human behavior. The essays cover a range of topics, including human behavioral ecology, cultural transmission, phylogenetic analysis, risk management, macroevolution, dual inheritance theory, cladistics, central place foraging, costly signaling, selection, drift, and various applications of evolutionary ecology.
Brief description: Nathan Goodale is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Hamilton College. He is author of articles and book chapters dealing with lithic technology and evolutionary theory in several journals and edited volumes, including Evolution: Education and Outreach, American Antiquity, the Journal of Archaeological Science, Complex Hunter-Gatherers (2004), and Lithic Technology (Cambridge, 2008).
Review Quotes: "Like a biface, this useful book about stone tool analysis has three sides, describing three evolutionary approaches to lithic assemblages: selectionist, human behavioral ecology and cultural transmission. Those lithic analysts interested in the application of evolutionary theory must read this book, and all the others should read it."
Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming