ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 is concerned with artifacts and ancient technologies. The classication of artifacts is a controversial subject involving the use of statistical methods and a variety of different “types of types,” including descriptive, chronological, functional, and stylistic types. At a larger scale, archaeologists rely on a hierarchy of archaeological units such as components and phases to order artifacts in time and space. After discussing the basics of the classication of artifacts, we review the major ancient technologies, from simple stone artifacts to elaborate iron objects and ne textiles.
