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In much smaller things forgotten: a case for microartifact analysis in cultural resource management

The past several decades have seen a shift in archaeology from the exclusive analysis of “interesting” artifacts, such as diagnostic lithics and ceramics, towards a more holistic examination that includes the smaller, less obvious, “forgotten” artifacts. These micro-sized artifacts are a focus for archaeologists because many studies show their utility in documenting activity areas and site formation processes. As early as the 1970s, researchers recognized the value of microartifacts and academic archaeologists increasingly included them in their studies over the subsequent decades. In this paper, we argue that microartifact analysis is also of interest to those working in cultural resource management (CRM), albeit for different reasons. By analyzing both macro- and microartifacts recovered from an Archaic-period lithic scatter in Meade County, KY, we explore the contribution microartifacts, specifically microdebitage, can make to our understanding of lithic scatters within CRM. The results of this exploratory case study suggest that data derived from microartifacts may alter assessments of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of some lithic scatters that otherwise might be deemed insignificant and, therefore, ineligible for the NRHP.