Specialist Stone Artefact Analysis

A national-level specialism, available to proponents and to other consultancies on a subcontract basis.

Depth of experience

COLCO analyses assemblages of every size — Dr Collins has worked through collections numbering, cumulatively, in the millions of artefacts, including the audit of the ACT Heritage Unit’s entire collection (over 20,000 artefacts from more than 800 sites). She is one of only a handful of specialists in Australia in worked-glass artefacts used to confirm contact-period sites, and has taught training programs in stone artefact analysis. Her doctoral research also rigorously tested the limits of over-claimed analytical methods, which is to say: you get conclusions that are defensible, not oversold.

How it’s used

• Technological and statistical analysis of stone artefact assemblages.
• Contact-site identification through worked-glass analysis.
• Expert input where significance or methodology is contested.
• Subcontract analysis for other heritage and environmental consultancies.

Lithics training

COLCO also delivers specialist stone artefact (lithics) training: hands-on workshops for archaeologists and heritage professionals looking to build or sharpen their analytical skills, and community-based programs delivered with Aboriginal communities and Traditional Owners. Few practitioners in Australia have the depth of assemblage experience to teach it.

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