In anthropology and archaeology, an attribute is a specific characteristic or property of an artifact, feature, or cultural element that can be described, measured, or classified. Attributes are the building blocks of analysis, allowing researchers to compare, categorize, and interpret material culture.

🌍 Definition

• Attribute: A descriptive or measurable property of an artifact, ecofact, or feature.
• Scope: Can be physical (size, shape, color), technological (manufacturing method), or stylistic (decoration, motif).
• Role in Analysis: Attributes are used to define types and assemblages, which in turn help identify cultural traditions and chronological phases.

🔑 Anthropological Contexts

• Archaeology:
  • Lithic analysis: Attributes include flake scars, edge angle, raw material.
  • Ceramic analysis: Attributes include temper, surface treatment, firing technique, decoration.
• Material Culture Studies:
  • Attributes reveal choices in design, aesthetics, and symbolism.
• Classification & Typology:
  • Artifacts are grouped into types based on shared attributes.
  • Example: Projectile points classified by stem shape, notch type, and size.
• Cross-Cultural Comparison:
  • Attributes allow archaeologists to compare artifacts across sites and regions.

📚 Importance in Anthropology

• Systematic Analysis: Attributes provide a standardized way to record and compare artifacts.
• Cultural Insight: Reflect technological choices, symbolic meanings, and social traditions.
• Chronological Utility: Attribute changes over time help establish sequences and cultural phases.
• Interdisciplinary Value: Attributes link anthropology with geology (raw materials), chemistry (pigments), and engineering (design).

In short: In anthropology, an attribute is a specific property of an artifact or feature, used to classify, compare, and interpret material culture.