Influence of Flake Morphology on Fluvial Transportation and Site Formation Interpretation
Using a flume device, I test the ways morphology affects a flake's transportation in flowing water. Many archaeological sites are located near fluvial environments where flowing water can potentially alter debitage assemblages. Previous researchers have studied the relationship between flake morphology and flowing water. However, these studies often focus on the weight and size of completed tools or bones. I designed and created an experiment to test how curvature, in addition to weight and size, influences the transport of flake assemblages. I also test the influence of flake morphology on settling velocity in relation to transport distance. I conducted these tests using a flume device that creates an idealized set of conditions. The results of these tests show that flake curvature and weight influences transport distance and settling velocity, weight being the primary influence.
fluvial environments, flake curvature, experimental archaeology, settling velocity, flume, Anthropology
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