Which types of tools tend to last in the archaeological record?

• A. Stone and Metal Tools
• B. Wood Tools
• C. Biodegradable Tools
• D. Plastic Tools

Answer: (A)

Preservation bias in archaeology favors materials that resist decay. Stone and metal endure long after burial because they are inorganic and chemically stable, so lithic tools and metal implements remain recognizable across many environments. Metal can corrode or weather, but the overall form and diagnostic features often survive, allowing researchers to identify tool types and manufacturing techniques. In contrast, wood and other organic materials typically decompose quickly unless they are preserved under exceptional conditions—like waterlogged, anaerobic, frozen, or very dry contexts—so wooden tools rarely make it into the record. Biodegradable or plant-based tools nearly always vanish in ordinary soils, and plastics, while durable, are less common in older contexts and do not reliably represent the types of artifacts archaeologists usually study. So, the types that tend to last in the archaeological record are stone and metal tools.