Technique and methodology in microwear studies: A critical review

Abstract

This review seeks critically to examine recent attempts to apply microwear analysis in the study of the uses of stone implements. It deals particularly with the techniques of microscopic examination that were employed and with the methodologies utilized in attempts to infer function from microwear observations. In both of these areas serious but rectifiable omissions were found to be common. Recommendations are offered for correcting these faults and for increasing the productivity, reliability and validity of microwear analysis.