Lithic Tool Industries
This chapter addresses whether the Lower Illinois River Valley’s proximity to Cahokia enabled access to craft exchange networks vital to the political economy of Greater Cahokia. This issue requires a detailed lithic analysis of the Audrey site’s lithic assemblage, examining both the craft production and/or exchange of Mill Creek hoes, basalt celts, and microlithic chert drills for marine shell bead manufacture, and the consumption of local Burlington chert. A comparative analysis with data from the Greater Cahokia and northern hinterland areas assesses the extent of Cahokian economic control, the organization of Mississippian lithic tool industries, and regional variation in the nature of economic activities. Finally, an analysis of exotic cherts within lithic assemblages suggests interregional exchange and interaction among northern groups.