Microblade Core Index

Compute per-core measured scar/platform width indexes with caller screening cutoff; no universal microblade identity or core reconstruction inferred.

Description

A scar-to-platform width ratio compares observed core scars with the measured platform.

A scar-to-platform width ratio compares observed core scars with the measured platform. A supplied cutoff provides an explicit screen rather than a universal microblade definition.^[1]

Compute per-core measured scar/platform width indexes with caller screening cutoff; no universal microblade identity or core reconstruction inferred.

When to use Microblade Core Index

Use this tool to compute per-core measured scar/platform width indexes with caller screening cutoff; no universal microblade identity or core reconstruction inferred.

Prepare the artifact, site or survey measurements and any independently established calibration or model choices. Keep paired observations aligned and confirm units and coordinate conventions.

How to use Microblade Core Index and understand its results

Prepare the artifact, site or survey measurements and any independently established calibration or model choices. Keep paired observations aligned and confirm units and coordinate conventions.
Enter coreScarWidthsMm, platformWidthsMm, callerMaximumScarToPlatformRatio using the field table and calculation rules, then run the tool.
Read meanScarToPlatformRatios, belowCallerMicrobladeWidthRatioFlags. The explanation below defines the units, signs, ordering and any flags or placeholder values.
If the tool reports an input issue, correct the values and run it again. Apply the stated assumptions when interpreting a successfully returned result.

Input field	Meaning	Value type; see rules below	Requirement
coreScarWidthsMm	Core scar widths mm	list of list of number	Required
platformWidthsMm	Platform widths mm	list of number	Required
callerMaximumScarToPlatformRatio	Caller maximum scar to platform ratio	number	Required

Supply 1–128 rows of positive scar widths, aligned positive platform widths in mm and a positive maximum ratio. Each scar row must be nonempty; row lengths can differ. Return per-core mean ratios and inclusive cutoff flags, even though the output label uses below.

Paired lists must be nonempty and have equal lengths.

ratio_i = mean scar width_i/platform width_i; qualifying = ratio_i≤cutoff

Units, indexing, boundary conditions and exceptional cases are defined in the calculation rules above.

Output field	Meaning	Value type
meanScarToPlatformRatios	Mean scar to platform ratios	list of number
belowCallerMicrobladeWidthRatioFlags	Below caller microblade width ratio flags	list of number

json

{
  "input": {
    "coreScarWidthsMm": [
      [
        2,
        4
      ],
      [
        1,
        1
      ]
    ],
    "platformWidthsMm": [
      10,
      5
    ],
    "callerMaximumScarToPlatformRatio": 0.5
  },
  "output": {
    "meanScarToPlatformRatios": [
      0.3,
      0.2
    ],
    "belowCallerMicrobladeWidthRatioFlags": [
      1,
      1
    ]
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

No core reconstruction or technological identity is inferred. The cutoff, sampling and dimensions are supplied observations and analytical choices.

Numeric inputs must be finite. Follow the calculation-specific rules for overflow, underflow and exceptional cases. Matrices are limited to 128 rows and 128 entries per row; other numeric lists are limited to 100,000 entries. Missing required fields, extra fields, wrong value types and violations of the calculation rules are input errors.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Use Edge Retouch Index: Compute observed linear edge retouch coverage and extreme bounds for missing edge; not scar-depth intensity or a manufacturing/usage diagnosis. For a complementary task, use Lithic Debitage Size Class Count Tool: Bin measured flake maximum dimension into explicit half-open lower-edge classes with an open-ended last bin; exact boundaries enter the higher class and manufacture stages are not inferred.

References

Microblade Core Index — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools

Edge Retouch Index
Compute observed linear edge retouch coverage and extreme bounds for missing edge; not scar-depth intensity or a manufacturing/usage diagnosis.
Lithic Debitage Size Class Count Tool
Bin measured flake maximum dimension into explicit half-open lower-edge classes with an open-ended last bin; exact boundaries enter the higher class and manufacture stages are not inferred.