Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses

Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses PDF Author: Lawrence H. Keeley
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226428893
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
A major problem confronting archeologists is how to determine the function of ancient stone tools. In this important work, Lawrence H. Keeley reports on his own highly successful course of research into the uses of British Paleolithic flint implements. His principal method of investigation, known as "microwear analysis," was the microscopic examination of traces of use left on flint implements in the form of polishes, striations, and breakage patterns. The most important discovery arising from Keeley's research was that, at magnifications of 100x to 400x, there was a high correlation between the detailed appearance of microwear polishes formed on tool edges and the general category of material worked by that edge. For example, different and distinctive types of microwear polish were formed during use on wood, bone, hide, meat, and soft plant material. These correlations between microwear polish and worked material were independent of the method of use (cutting, sawing, scraping, and so on). In combining evidence of polish type with other traces of use, Keeley was able to make precise reconstructions of tool functions. This book includes the results of a "blind test" of Keeley's functional interpretations which revealed remarkable agreement between the actual and inferred use of the tools tested. Keeley applied his method of microwear analysis to artifacts from three excavation sites in Britain—Clacton-on-the-sea, Swanscombe, and Hoxne. His research suggests new hypotheses concerning such Paleolithic problems as inter-assemblage variability, the function of Acheulean hand axes, sidescrapers, and chopper-cores and points the way to future research in Stone Age studies.

Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses

Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses PDF Author: Lawrence H. Keeley
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226428893
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 267

Get Book Here

Book Description
A major problem confronting archeologists is how to determine the function of ancient stone tools. In this important work, Lawrence H. Keeley reports on his own highly successful course of research into the uses of British Paleolithic flint implements. His principal method of investigation, known as "microwear analysis," was the microscopic examination of traces of use left on flint implements in the form of polishes, striations, and breakage patterns. The most important discovery arising from Keeley's research was that, at magnifications of 100x to 400x, there was a high correlation between the detailed appearance of microwear polishes formed on tool edges and the general category of material worked by that edge. For example, different and distinctive types of microwear polish were formed during use on wood, bone, hide, meat, and soft plant material. These correlations between microwear polish and worked material were independent of the method of use (cutting, sawing, scraping, and so on). In combining evidence of polish type with other traces of use, Keeley was able to make precise reconstructions of tool functions. This book includes the results of a "blind test" of Keeley's functional interpretations which revealed remarkable agreement between the actual and inferred use of the tools tested. Keeley applied his method of microwear analysis to artifacts from three excavation sites in Britain—Clacton-on-the-sea, Swanscombe, and Hoxne. His research suggests new hypotheses concerning such Paleolithic problems as inter-assemblage variability, the function of Acheulean hand axes, sidescrapers, and chopper-cores and points the way to future research in Stone Age studies.

Stone Tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Near East

Stone Tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Near East PDF Author: John J. Shea
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107006988
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 427

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Book Description
This book surveys the archaeological record for stone tools from the earliest times to 6,500 years ago in the Near East.

Use-wear Analysis on Quartzite Flaked Tools

Use-wear Analysis on Quartzite Flaked Tools PDF Author: Antonella Pedergnana
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1527537870
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Quartzite is a particularly frequently used lithology for knapping stone tools throughout all stages of human evolution. Despite this, however, there is a surprising lack of detailed methodological research on the formation and appearance of use-wear on this type of rock. As such, this book fills in a gap in the research, and proposes a new method to analyse use-wear on quartzite, by evaluating the variability of use-wear appearance on different rock varieties. This book is conceived as a handbook for the application of microwear analysis on quartzite, and is addressed to both students and lithic use-wear analysists. The extreme surface irregularities of quartzite, mainly due to its microcrystalline structure and the diverse orientation of quartz crystals surfaces, have always been regarded as a major obstacle when applying use-wear analysis. As shown here, the use of scanning electron microscopy allows this and other obstacles when observing highly reflective surfaces, such as quartzite, to be overcome.

Prehistoric Stone Tools of Eastern Africa

Prehistoric Stone Tools of Eastern Africa PDF Author: John J. Shea
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108424430
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
A detailed overview of the Eastern African stone tools that make up the world's longest archaeological record.

Lithic Technology in the Middle Potomac River Valley of Maryland and Virginia

Lithic Technology in the Middle Potomac River Valley of Maryland and Virginia PDF Author: Wm. Jack Hranicky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461506158
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
The archaeological focus on a single geographical area offers an opportunity to present projectile point typology as a microtechnology even though some of the types have widespread distributions. The area of the Middle Potomac River Valley presents a physical artefact collection for a view of prehistory. This volume, which includes several hundred images of the investigation, artefacts and archaeological research compiled and recorded from over 30 years of work in the area, includes: -an overview of the Middle Potomac River Valley archaeology including the peoples and sites; -new data and interpretations for the lithic technology of the area; and -classification and typology of artefacts including the usage of projectile point, axe, celt, drill, and knife implements. This work will be of great interest to prehistory archaeologists, especially those working in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States.

Hasanlu, Volume I

Hasanlu, Volume I PDF Author: Mary M. Voigt
Publisher: UPenn Museum of Archaeology
ISBN: 9780934718493
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 538

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Book Description
Any consideration of the Iranian plateau must include the important site of Hasanlu in northern Iran. The Museum carried out excavations from 1956 through 1977. A major aspect of the research focused on the Iron Age settlement. This fortified town was attacked around 800 B.C. The attack and accompanying fire caused the rapid collapse of public buildings. Thus, the site provides a unique opportunity to examine a wide range of objects and materials still in the contexts in which they were stored. University Museum Monograph, 50

Pottery Function

Pottery Function PDF Author: James M. Skibo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1489911790
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
There are many ways to study pots or the sherds of pots. In this book James Skibo has focused on the surface wear and tear found on the resin-coated, low-fired cooking pots of the Kalinga people in north western Luzon. This detailed analysis is part of a much larger evalua tion of Kalinga pottery production and use by the staff members and students at the University of Arizona that has been underway since 1972. Here he has analyzed the variants among the possible residual clues on pots that have endured the stresses of having been used for cooking meat and vegetables or rice; standing on supports in the hearth fire; wall scrapings while distributing the food; being transported to the water source for thorough washing and scrubbing; followed by storage until needed again-a repetitive pattern of use. This well-controlled study made use of new pots provided for cooking purposes to one Kalinga household, as well as those pots carefully observed in other households-- 189 pots in all. Such an ethnoarchaeological approach is not unlike follOwing the course of the firing of a kiln-load of pots in other cultures, and then purchasing the entire product of this firing for analysis. Other important aspects of this Kalinga study are the chemical analysis of extracts from the ware to deduce the nature of the food cooked in them, and the experimental study of soot deposited on cooking vessels when they are in use.

Lithic Analysis at the Millennium

Lithic Analysis at the Millennium PDF Author: Norah Moloney
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315425319
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
The original research papers in the volume provide a broad review of current approaches to the study of lithic technology from the Palaeolithic to the present. The contributions address both with analytical techniques and interpretive issues. Collectively, they increase our understanding of issues such as tool function, means of production, raw material sourcing and exchange systems, and the evolution of human cognition, social organization and symbolic behavior.

The Archaeologist's Laboratory

The Archaeologist's Laboratory PDF Author: E.B. Banning
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0306463695
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
Intended as a text for students in upper-division-undergraduate and graduate-level courses as well as a manual for professional researchers and cultural resource management practitioners, the book is abundantly illustrated and referenced and includes a glossary of key terms. Suggested laboratory exercises to accompany the text are available on a web site."--BOOK JACKET.

Human Expeditions

Human Expeditions PDF Author: Andre Costopoulos
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
ISBN: 1442614226
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Human Expeditions pays tribute to Trigger's immense legacy by bringing together cutting edge work from internationally recognized and emerging researchers inspired by his example.