Beyond the formation of hearth-associated artifact assemblages

Abstract

I review my model describing the sequential formation of artifact assemblages, and consider cultural processes that tend to sort objects by size across and within occupation floors. The main intent of the chapter is to explore some of the more theoretically interesting and challenging implications of the model. If we are willing to make the fundamental assumptions that size sorting and general dispersal are incremental, time-sensitive processes and hunter-gatherer behavior is likely to vary during the occupation of sites, I believe a door will open into a potentially fruitful line of inquiry. The chapter concludes with two examples of how the model can be utilized to address human activity and behavior at short-term hunter-gatherer campsites. In so doing, the chapter attempts to take some preliminary steps toward forging some necessary links between midrange and general theory. -from Author