scholarly journals Using 3D Microscopy to Analyze Experimental Cut Marks on Animal Bones Produced with Different Stone Tools

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Moretti ◽  
Simona Arrighi ◽  
Francesco Boschin ◽  
Jacopo Crezzini ◽  
Daniele Aureli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Profile Data ◽  
Mechanical Motion ◽  
Cut Marks ◽  
3D Microscopy ◽  
Animal Bones ◽  
Digital Microscope ◽  
The Moment

This study uses a combination of digital microscopic analysis and experimental archaeology to assess stone tool cut marks on animal bones. We used two un-retouched flint flakes and two burins to inflict cut marks on fresh, boiled, and dry ungulate  bones. The experiment produced three series of three engravings on each bone with each of the experimental tools. The first series involved one single stroke; the second, two strokes in the same direction; and the third, multiple strokes using a to-and-fro movement. We analyzed the striations using a Hirox 3D digital microscope (KH-7700) and collected metric and profile data on the morphology of the cut marks. In order to describe the shape of each cross section, we calculated the ratio between the breadth at the top and the breadth at the floor of cut marks. Preliminary results show that both the tool type and the method of creating the cut mark influence the shape of the resulting groove. In our experiment, morphological parameters can be used to differentiate between marks produced using un-retouched flint flakes and those produced using burins. However, neither morphological nor morphometric analysis allows us to identify the mechanical motion used to produce the cuts, nor the state of the bone (fresh, boiled, or dry) at the moment of marking. 

scholarly journals PETROLOGY AND PROVENANCE OF THE NATURAL STONE TOOLS FROM Al-DALMAJ ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, MESOPOTAMIAN PLAIN, IRAQ

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-251
Author(s):  
Aqeel A. Al- Zubaidi ◽  
Varoujan Sissakian ◽  
Hassan K. Jassim
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Alluvial Plain ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Neolithic Period ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
Cultural Exchanges ◽  
Floodplain Sediments

Many stone tools were found on a hill south of the Hor Al-Dalmaj which is located in the central part of the alluvial plain of Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The types of rocks from which the studied stone tools were made are not found in the alluvial plain, because it consists of friable sand, silt, and clay. All existing sediments were precipitated in riverine environments such as point bar, over bank, and floodplain sediments. The collected stone tools were described with a magnifying glass (10 x) and a polarized microscope after they were thin sectioned. Microscopic analysis showed that these stone tools are made of sedimentary, volcanic igneous and metamorphic rocks, such as: sandstones, limestones, chert, conglomerate, rhyolite, basalt, mica schist, and quartzite. The current studied stone tools were used by ancient humans as pestles, querns, scrapers, and knives. The present study showed that these tools were transported from outside the alluvial plain of Mesopotamia. A stone tool at the archaeological site of Al-Dalmaj indicates that there were some trade routes that connected this site with its surrounding; in addition to the economic, and that might occurred cultural exchanges during the Neolithic Period.

scholarly journals On the Late Pliocene stone tools of the Quranwala Zone, north-west sub-Himalayas, India

Antiquity ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (357) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidwan Singh Soni ◽  
Anujot Singh Soni
Keyword(s):  
Stone Tools ◽  
Fossil Bone ◽  
Question Mark ◽  
North West ◽  
Cut Marks ◽  
The North ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
Animal Bones ◽  
Fossil Bones

A recent study of the Quranwala Zone (QZ) of the north-west sub-Himalayas, India, presents evidence for anthropic activity during the Pliocene that includes a number of stone tools found in association with fossil animal bones with cut marks. Based on the date of the Pliocene rock outcrop, the tools and bones are suggested to date from 2.6 Ma (Gaillard et al. 2016). There is, however, a question mark over the context of these tools within an outcrop of Pliocene rocks and, hence, over the date of these tools and the fossil bones. The trench from which they were excavated at Masol 2 (Gaillard et al.2016: fig. 3) lies in a depression at the bottom of a slope; the description provided in section 2 of the paper by Gaillard et al. (2016) suggests that the stone tools may not have been in situ within the Pliocene levels, but had accumulated there and were mixed with the fragments of fossil bone due to geological processes. Moreover, many of the stone tools, such as the ‘simple choppers’ found in association with the fossil animal bones (Gaillard et al.2016: figs 6, 8, 9), are usually found on much more recent sites and are therefore unlikely to date from 2.6 Ma.

scholarly journals Cut marks on bone surfaces: influences on variation in the form of traces of ancient behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 20160006 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Braun ◽  
Michael Pante ◽  
William Archer
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Rock Type ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Indentation Hardness ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Cut Marks ◽  
The Past ◽  
Animal Bones

Although we know that our lineage has been producing sharp-edged tools for over 2.6 Myr, our knowledge of what they were doing with these tools is far less complete. Studies of these sharp-edged stone tools show that they were most probably used as cutting implements. However, the only substantial evidence of this is the presence of cut marks on the bones of animals found in association with stone tools in ancient deposits. Numerous studies have aimed to quantify the frequency and placement of these marks. At present there is little consensus on the meaning of these marks and how the frequency relates to specific behaviours in the past. Here we investigate the possibility that mechanical properties associated with edges of stone tools as well as the properties of bones themselves may contribute to the overall morphology of these marks and ultimately their placement in the archaeological record. Standardized tests of rock mechanics (Young's modulus and Vickers hardness) indicate that the hardness of tool edges significantly affects cut-mark morphology. In addition, we show that indentation hardness of bones also impacts the overall morphology of cut marks. Our results show that rock type and bone portions influence the shape and prevalence of cut marks on animal bones.

scholarly journals Paleoecology of Con Moong Cave (Northern Vietnam)

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
A. P. Derevianko ◽  
A. V. Kandyba ◽  
A. M. Chekha
Keyword(s):  
Stone Tools ◽  
Upper Paleolithic ◽  
Palynological Analysis ◽  
The Third ◽  
Animal Bones ◽  
Dating Method ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Neolithic Cultures ◽  
Hoa Binh

Purpose. The study of the Paleolithic in Vietnam was undertaken by French geologists in the early 20th century. During the first quarter of the century, they studied Neolithic cultures of Hoa Binh and Bac Son. In the 1960s, the study of the Paleolithic was conducted by Vietnamese archaeologists. They discovered a more ancient culture of the late Paleolithic, the Son Vi (or Sonvian) Culture. Despite the discoveries made, the issues of the origin of these cultures, their development and continuity are still disputable. In this respect, excavating Con Moong Cave in the central province of Thanh Hoa, which is a multilayer cave and a unique archaeological complex belonging to the era of the final Pleistocene – early Holocene, provides us with the most valuable material on the development of ancient Vietnamese. Results. According to the results of excavations, as well as subsequent studies of the Russian-Vietnamese expedition in 2010–2014, there were three main cultural and chronological periods identified in the cave. The deposits reflecting the earliest period, such as choppers and animal bones with traces of processing, belong to the Son Vi culture and date back to the Paleolithic time. C14-dates obtained from several shells indicate the period from 11 000 to 15 300 years ago. The second cultural unit contains almond-shaped and disc-shaped Sumatra-type tools, short and long axes, bone tips and scraped shells, which are characteristic of the Hoa Binh culture. This layer contains graves with stone tools, oyster shells and ochre and is dated 9 300 to 12 000 years ago. The deposits of the third cultural layer contain stone tools typical for the late paleolitic Hoabinhian and early neolitic Bacsonian sites. C14-dates from the third cultural period belong to the range from 8 500 to 9 200 years ago. Along with the radiocarbon dating method used, palynological analysis, fauna remains analysis and analysis of the anthropological material were carried out. Conclusion. Based on C14 dates, it is assumed that the residents Con Moong cave lived there for 8 000 years, from 16 000 to 8 000 years ago. At the moment, the earliest deposits found are artifacts of the Son Vi culture, which belongs to the upper Paleolithic period. They are followed by the materials of the early Hoabinhian and Bacsonian cultures.

Experimental and Archaeological Verification of an Index of Retouch for Hafted Bifaces

2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Andrefsky
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Data Set ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Projectile Points

The relative amount of retouch on stone tools is central to many archaeological studies linking stone tool assemblages to broader issues of human social and economic land-use strategies. Unfortunately, most retouch measures deal with flake and blade tools and few (if any) have been developed for hafted bifaces and projectile points. This paper introduces a new index for measuring and comparing amount of retouch on hafted bifaces and projectile points that can be applied regardless of size or typological variance. The retouch index is assessed initially with an experimental data set of hafted bifaces that were dulled and resharpened on five occasions. The retouch index is then applied to a hafted biface assemblage made from tool stone that has been sourced by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Results of both assessments show that the hafted biface retouch index (HRI) is effective for determining the amount of retouch and the degree to which the hafted bifaces have been curated.

scholarly journals Habitual Stone-Tool Aided Extractive Foraging in White-Faced Capuchins, Cebus Capucinus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan J Barrett ◽  
Claudio M Monteza-moreno ◽  
Tamara DOGANDŽIĆ ◽  
Nicolas Zwyns ◽  
Alicia IBÁÑEZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
National Park ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Cebus Capucinus ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Extractive Foraging ◽  
First Case ◽  
One Year

ABSTRACTHabitual reliance on tool use is a marked behavioral difference between wild robust (genus Sapajus) and gracile (genus Cebus) capuchin monkeys. Despite being well studied and having a rich repertoire of social and extractive foraging traditions, Cebus sp have rarely been observed engaging in tool use and have never been reported to use stone tools. In contrast, habitual tool use and stone-tool use by Sapajus is widespread. We discuss factors which might explain these differences in patterns of tool use between Cebus and Sapajus. We then report the first case of habitual stone-tool use in a gracile capuchin: a population of white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator) in Coiba National Park, Panama who habitually rely on hammerstone and anvil tool use to access structurally protected food items in coastal areas including Terminalia catappa seeds, hermit crabs, marine snails, terrestrial crabs, and other items. This behavior has persisted on one island in Coiba National Park since at least 2004. From one year of camera trapping, we found that stone tool use is strongly male-biased. Of the 205 unique camera-trap-days where tool use was recorded, adult females were never observed to use stone-tools, although they were frequently recorded at the sites and engaged in scrounging behavior. Stone-tool use occurs year-round in this population, and over half of all identifiable individuals were observed participating. At the most active tool use site, 83.2% of days where capuchins were sighted corresponded with tool use. Capuchins inhabiting the Coiba archipelago are highly terrestrial, under decreased predation pressure and potentially experience resource limitation compared to mainland populations– three conditions considered important for the evolution of stone tool use. White-faced capuchin tool use in Coiba National Park thus offers unique opportunities to explore the ecological drivers and evolutionary underpinnings of stone tool use in a comparative within- and between-species context.

Neanderthal behaviour and stone tool function at the Middle Palaeolithic site of La Quina, France

Antiquity ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (301) ◽  
pp. 547-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Stone Tools ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic

Neanderthal diet is explored by examining stone tools found at the site of La Quina for residues and microwear. The Neanderthal people are found to be using their scrapers for working plants and woods as well as meat.

Stone Tools

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Material Culture ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
History Of Archaeology ◽  
Culture Studies ◽  
Old World ◽  
Material Culture Studies ◽  
History Of

The focus of this article is stone tools. The history of stone tool research is linked integrally to the history of archaeology and the study of the human past, and many of the early developments in archaeology were connected with the study of stone artefacts. The identification of stone tools as objects of prehistoric human manufacture was central to the development of nineteenth-century models of prehistoric change, and especially the Three Age system for Old World prehistory. This article draws on concepts derived from interdisciplinary material culture studies to consider the role of the artefact after being discarded. It suggests that it is impossible to understand the meaning or efficacy of stone tools without understanding their ‘afterlives’ following abandonment. This article aims to complement contemporary metrical studies of the identification of stone tools and the description of their production. A brief history of the stone tools is explained and this concludes the article.

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