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Multiple uses for Australian backed artefacts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Gail Robertson ,
Val Attenbrow  and
Peter Hiscock
Gail Robertson*
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia
Val Attenbrow
Affiliation:
Anthropology Unit, Research Branch, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Peter Hiscock
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia
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Abstract

Backed artefacts, otherwise microliths or backed bladelets, are key indicators of cultural practice in early Australia – but what were they used for? The authors review a number of favourite ideas – hunting, scarification, wood working – and then apply use-wear analysis and residue studies to three prehistoric assemblages. These showed contact with a wide range of materials: wood, plants, bone, blood, skin and feathers. These results are unequivocal – the backed artefacts were hafted and employed as versatile tools with many functions.

Keywords

Australiause-wearresiduemicrolithsbacked artefactscraftinter-site variability

Information

Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 320 , June 2009 , pp. 296 - 308
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2009

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