Linganisha mbinu

	Uchambuzi wa Uchakavu wa Matumizi	Geometric Morphometrics
Nyanja	Akiolojia	Akiolojia
Familia	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
Mwaka wa asili	1980	1991
Mwanzilishi	Lawrence Keeley	Fred Bookstein
Aina	Tool function inference	Shape and form analysis
Chanzo asilia	Keeley, L. H. (1980). Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses. University of Chicago Press.	Bookstein, F. L. (1991). Morphometric Tools for Landmark Data: Geometry and Biology. Cambridge University Press.
Majina mbadala	microwear, tool use analysis	shape analysis, morphometric analysis
Zinazohusiana	4	4
Muhtasari	Use-wear analysis (also called microwear or tool-use analysis) is a method that infers the function of stone tools from microscopic wear patterns on their cutting edges and surfaces. Pioneered by Lawrence Keeley in the 1970s-1980s, this technique examines damage patterns, polishes, and edge rounding produced as tools contact different materials during use. By analyzing these wear patterns, archaeologists can determine whether a tool was used to cut plant material, meat, bone, hide, or wood—revealing detailed information about task specialization and subsistence practices in prehistoric societies.	Geometric morphometrics is a quantitative analytical method that captures, analyzes, and compares the shapes of biological structures (bones, teeth, pottery) using coordinate data from landmarks and outlines. Developed by Fred Bookstein in the 1990s, GMM provides a rigorous statistical framework for studying shape variation across populations or time periods. The method allows archaeologists to quantify morphological differences between individuals, populations, or artifact classes with precision impossible using traditional linear measurements.