This thesis presents the study of the possibilities of functional analysis on shell implements. Shell tools from the pre-Columbian sites of Anse la Gourde and M...orel, Guadeloupe were studied and interpreted based on archaeological, ethnographical, ethnohistorical and experimental data. In addition, flint and stone tools of both sites were analysed. In this thesis functional analysis is approached from an integral point of view in order to be able to reconstruct the past technological system. The results of the functional analysis of all artefact categories are presented as well as a reconstruction of the technological system in the pre-Columbian period. It is demonstrated how this integral approach provides the possibilities to shed light on the choices made in the past on tool use and the utilisation of different raw materials. Yvonne Lammers-Keijsers graduated in Prehistory of North-Western Europe and in Theoretical and methodological approaches in Archaeology at Leiden University in 1998. After working as a junior use-wear specialist at the Laboratory for Artefact Studies for two years on commercial projects for the Betuwe-railway, she was incorporated as a PhD-student in the NWO-Aspasia programme of Dr. A.L. van Gijn (2000-2006). This thesis is the result of the research. Currently she is working at the Foundation for Dutch Heritage in Amsterdam, as Chief Editor of Archeobrief, the Dutch journal for professional archaeology.Detailed info »« Brief info