Award Date

1-1-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Committee Member

Alan Simmons

Number of Pages

118

Abstract

Ghwair I, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic B community in southern Jordan, has an abundant projectile point assemblage that facilitates a thorough characterization and detailed techno-typological analysis of the projectile points recovered. It is concluded that current typologies tend to mask significant morphological aspects of the projectile points. To explore these aspects, other perspectives such as raw material selection and manufacture are considered; The low amounts of cortex, minimum retouch, and the frequency tertiary blades are shown to be reflections of a conscientious effort to secure fine quality chert for lithic production. The presence of the "miniature" points represents a deliberate effort by the inhabitants to utilize bladelets as a key production blank. In addition, the uniqueness and fragility of the "cached" projectile points are considered to reflect their social significance. Based on these findings, this investigation confirms that Ghwair I was a developed and socially complex community.

Keywords

Alternative; Jordan; Levantine; Neolithic; Perspective; Point; Projectile; Variability

Controlled Subject

Archaeology

File Format

pdf

File Size

2641.92 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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