Dissertation Research: Exchange of Vanport Flint Bladelets Among Hopewell Groups

燧石（一种微晶石英岩）具有很强的抗氧化性， 风化和断裂产生锋利，耐用的切割 边缘 它被史前人类用来制造 加工动植物材料的工具。 其 可获得性直接关系到许多人的生存， 史前人类的人口，它被广泛交换， 史前经济体系 然而，这种模式 对交易所的了解很少，主要是因为现有的方法， 燧石的来源不可靠 在博士的指导下。 Richard Yerkes和Gunter Faure，James Foradas先生，毕业生 俄亥俄州州立大学学生将制定采购标准 来自Vanport火石的样品， 俄亥俄州露头的数量。 该项目将包括四个主要的 阶段 福拉达斯先生将首先从一系列 露出地面的岩层 然后，他将进行分析，以描述每一个。 这些将包括使用X射线的微量元素测定 荧光、岩相学和SEM分析。 在此基础上，他 然后将研究在考古背景下发现的火石， Scioto River Valley Hopewell文化遗址 最后， 他将用这些数据来重建霍普韦尔交易模式。 这项研究之所以重要，有几个原因。 它将有助于 开发一种非破坏性的分析技术， 希望可以广泛应用于 考古情况。 这应该是一个有价值的工具。 考古学家对复杂的社会是如何进化的很感兴趣， 霍普韦尔文化标志着 在北美如此大规模的开发。 已经 他认为对这些贵重物品交易的监管 高品位燧石起着整合机制的作用。 Foradas的工作将允许测试这一假设。 最后， 该项目将有助于培训一个非常 有前途的年轻科学家

Flint (a microcrystalline quartz rock) is highly resistant to weathering and fractures to produce a sharp, durable cutting edge. It was utilized by prehistoric peoples to manufacture tools for the processing of plant and animal materials. Its availability was directly linked to the survival of many prehistoric human populations, and it was widely exchanged in prehistoric economic systems. However, the patterning of this exchange is poorly understood largely because existing methods of sourcing flint are unreliable. Under the direction of Drs. Richard Yerkes and Gunter Faure, Mr. James Foradas, a graduate student at Ohio State University, will develop sourcing criteria from samples derived from Vanport flint which is exposed in a number of Ohio outcrops. The project will consist of four main stages. Mr. Foradas will first collect specimens from a series of outcrops. He will then conduct analyzes to characterize each. These will include trace element determinations using X-ray fluorescence, petrographic, and SEM analysis. On this basis he will then examine flints recovered in archaeological context from a number of Scioto River Valley Hopewell culture sites. Finally, he will use these data to reconstruct Hopewell exchange patterns. This research is important for several reasons. It will serve to develop a non-destructive analytic technique for the analysis of chert which can be used, hopefully, in a wide range of archaeological situations. This should prove a valuable tool. Archaeologists are interested in how complex societies evolve, and the Hopewell culture marks one of the earliest manifestations of such a large scale development in North America. It has been postulated that the regulation of trade in such valuable objects as high grade flint served as an integrating mechanism, and Mr. Foradas' work will allow testing of this hypothesis. Finally, this project will assist in the training of an extremely promising young scientist.