John C. Whittaker
This sandbox is in the article namespace. Either move this page into your userspace, or remove the {{User sandbox}} template.
John C. Whittaker | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 6, 1953 Richland, Washington, USA |
| Occupation | Archaeologist |
| Spouse | Kathyrn Kamp |
John C. Whittaker (September 6, 1953 – ) is an American anthropological archaeologist who's focus is on Paleolithic technologies including atlatls, flintknapping, stone tool analysis, and early agriculture. He is most well-known for his experimental archaeology and has also studiedinterested other fields including natural history and ecology, zooarchaeology, and ethnobotany.[1]
Early life and Education
Whittaker obtained his BA in anthropology at Cornell. During his sophomore year in 1972, he began flintknapping for the first time. Lacking chert or obsidian to practice with, he began using the glass from broken soda bottles. His knapping experiences were briefly delayed when Whittaker accidentally severed two tendons in his left index finger with a glass flake. This injury and the accompanying surgeries to correct the damage left his arm in a sling for two semesters. In the summer of 1973 Whittaker was accepted as a student at Pech de 'Aze archaeological site in France. There he studied under Francois Bordes, a pioneer in flintknapping experimentation. That summer he also met knappers Mark Newcomer and Jacques Pelegrin. Under Bordes’ tutelage Whittaker learned how to knap chert and deepened his interest in the craft[2]. Whittaker later attended the University of Arizona as a graduate student where his work in experimental archaeology progressed rapidly. Along with his college Harold Dibble, Whittaker developed a mechanical device that flaked stone a controlled, repeatable manner[3]. This allowed for the study the effects of force on angles. In 1979 Whittaker and Dibble taught a course on experimental archaeology and knapping. At the University of Arizona Whittaker obtained his Masters (1979) and Doctorate (1984) in Anthropology[4].
Career
Shortly after completing his PhD in 1984, Whittaker began teaching at Grinnell College in Iowa as a part-time lecturer. By 2001 he was a full-time professor in Grinnell’s Department of Anthropology, a position he still holds as of 2019. In his 35 years of teaching anthropology, Whittaker’s work has taken him to multiple sites and cultures including (but not limited to) the American Southwest, Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central America[5]. Whittaker is best known for his contributions to study of ancient technologies, particularly his work in experimental archaeology. By attempting to replicate or approximate past technologies, Whittaker tested hypotheses and theories about the cultures that used them. Such work includes (but is not limited to) bronze casting, foraging and cooking, flintknapping, ceramics, and atlatls. Through his research on ancient and modern flintknappers in both the Old and New Worlds, Whittaker gathered a vast amount of information and experience on the craft. This culminated in his 1994 book, Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools, which covers the history, mechanics, and techniques of flintknapping. It is written as a guide to help hobbyists and academics alike better understand the practice of lithic reduction. Whittaker has also done considerable work with atlatls, or spear-throwers. He is a prominent member of the World Atlatl Association , an organization that promotes use and continued research of atlatls among both academics and sportsmen alike. His involvement in both the academic and sporting applications of atlatls has led to considerable advances in the understanding of the primitive weapon. He is a regular author for the organization’s journal, The Atlatl, where he provides insight based off his personal experiences and research. One such insight was the physical effects of prolonged atlatl throwing on the human body, a condition known as “atlatl elbow”. After years of prolonged use of the ancient tool, Whittaker developed the early stages of the condition that was recorded in ancient remains such as Mungo man. Whittaker used this opportunity to write about the relationship between atlatl usage and human anatomy. In it he describes the causes of the condition and how it can be prevented by proper form and stretching[6].
Honours, decorations, awards and distinctions
- World Atlatl Association Top 10 Award, 2000, 2001, 2006
- World Atlatl Association President’s Award, 2012
Bibliography
Books
- 1994: Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools
- 1999: Surviving Adversity: The Sinagua of Lizard Man Village
- 2004: American Flintknappers: Stone Age Art in the Age of Computers
See also
References/Notes and references
- ^ http://grinnell.academia.edu/JohnWhittaker/CurriculumVitae
- ^ Whittaker, John (1994). Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 223. ISBN 9780292790834.
- ^ Whittaker, John (1994). Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 223. ISBN 9780292790834.
- ^ http://grinnell.academia.edu/JohnWhittaker/CurriculumVitae
- ^ https://www.grinnell.edu/user/whittake.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://waa.basketmakeratlatl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Atlatl-elbow.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)
Further reading
External links
 | This article, John C. Whittaker, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |