Anna Mika

PhD thesis title: Flake It Til You Make It: The Use of Flake Tools in Modelling and Practice

Flake stone tools are the foundation of any Palaeolithic toolkit, with flake artefacts having been used in a diverse array of tasks central to the survival of hominin populations. However, the types and forms of flakes produced by Palaeolithic populations varies widely within and between Palaeolithic periods.

My PhD focuses on answering long held questions pertaining to functional efficiencies and ergonomics of different flake technologies using recently established experiment methods, before applying 3D modelling techniques. Flake artefacts will be examined to investigate whether Palaeolithic populations produced functionally effective, or even optimized flake technologies, and how their design change through time in different functional contexts.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?
I was inspired to pursue my research interests by my master’s research. My master’s thesis focused on testing the cutting efficiencies of seven knife forms from the Clovis culture (13,350-12,500 calBP) in North America.

My PhD project combines the analysis of Palaeolithic flake stone artefacts with robust laboratory-based functional experiments and finite element modelling. I will answer long held questions pertaining to functional efficiencies and ergonomics of different flake technology to provide an understanding of how type and form variation impacts the functional capabilities of flake artefacts.