TRAMPLING FRAGMENTATION POTENTIAL OF LITHIC ARTIFACTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

CELESTE WEITZEL; KAREN B. BORRAZZO; ANTONIO CERASO; CATALINA BALIRÁN

INTERSECCIONES EN ANTROPOLOGíA

Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales

Lugar: Olavarría; Año: 2014 vol. 5 p. 97 - 110

A proposal to estimate the Trampling fragmentation Potential (TFP) on lithic artifacts from their metric attributes is presented. We apply a data mining technique known as decision trees to experimental datasets obtained in several trampling experiments. Results show that the ratio of area to thickness is the main element affecting the probability of breakage on lithic artifacts by trampling. Also, a maximum thickness value for lithic artifacts prone to be broken by trampling is estimated. Finally, we argue establishing threshold values for trampling potential allows distinguishing incidental fractures with similar traits and different origins.