The notion that broken artifacts provide a good indication of the taphonomic history of lithic assemblages is commonly accepted in prehistoric archaeology. Thus the results of this study have given an insight into how the occupants of Hoxne were interacting with their surrounding landscape and how the site's environments changed throughout the archaeological layers. This may indicate technological changes as there is an implication that layer 8 was within a gentle fluvial environment. Layer 8 (sandy context) underwent a dramatic decrease in size. Technological characteristics were then explored. Layer 6 also has the greatest patination concentrations this may indicate they underwent extensive exposure or was within alkaline deposits. Analysis indicates extensive energetic fluvial movement (especially within layer 6), which is represented by weight and abrasion levels. Examination has now been conducted on the entire assemblage. Previously, an insufficient study was conducted on the flakes. The method of recording and analysis was guided by Nick Ashton, Rob Davis and Randolph Donahue, using their published techniques abrasion, patination, size distribution and others. Research focused on establishing the post-depositional context of the artefacts and determining whether technological characteristics occurred within the sequence. This may help to further understand hominin behaviour and the surrounding landscape. It aims to evaluate the post-depositional processes and possible technological change within the stratigraphic formation. This research presents recent findings arising from an in-depth lithic analysis on 25% of the assemblage, which was excavated from Hoxne, Suffolk (south section).
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