Theses and Dissertations Collection

Dr. Don E. Crabtree, as one of the pioneers of academic flintknapping, developed an experimental approach in lithic studies during 1960s and 1970s. His diverse replication studies left a great impact on the field of archaeology not only in the Pacific Northwest, but also throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries. His story outside of publications, however, has been known by a very few people. Since his life had always been intertwined with academic flintknapping, learning his life stories allows us to better understand the importance and potential of experimental approach in archaeology. With his numerous professional and personal data collection at the Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, this paper revisits the life of Crabtree and explores the contributions and influences he left in the field. It intends to help lithic students and scholars appreciate what Crabtree and his hands-on method really mean to us.