Criteria for Determining the Attributes of Man-Made Lithics

AbstractThis article offers a discussion of the criteria for lithic attributes that distinguish between man-made and naturally fractured stone objects. Emphasis is placed on the consistent patterns of attributes characteristic of lithic manufacturing by man. This subject is especially important at the present time, because of the increasing number of very early dates proposed for human occupation of sites in the New World. It is urged that this type of study be made in an objective manner, as opposed to the many subjective comments given on this subject in the past.