Prehistoric use of obsidian in Murihiku.

Abstract

A series of functional experiments are carried out with standardised obsidian tools cut to specific dimensions, on prepared shafts of wood. The wear patterns obtained are photographed at prescribed stages of use. The results are then compared with edge damage on prehistoric obsidian tools from various sites in southern New Zealand (Murihiku), in an attempt to identify the original tool functions.

Those prehistoric tools which display use-wear on their edges are then subjected to uni- and multivariate analyses to try to identify morphological types of edges from metrical parameters. Finally, the artefacts are investigated in their respective archaeological contexts, in order to examine economic differences or similarities between the sites considered.