Microscopic analysis of technical and functional traces as a method for the use-wear analysis of rock crystal tools

Fernández-Marchena, Juan Luis; Ollé, Andreu

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2015.10.064

Cited by 26 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Studies focused on ornament use-wear on hard and brittle lithic materials are not common (Alarashi 2016), despite the abundance of studies focused on gemstone technology (e.g., Groman-Yaroslavski and Bar-Yosef Mayer 2015; Gwinnett and Gorelick 1979;Kenoyer 1997;Roux 2000;Roux et al 1995;Sax and Ji 2013). Quartz materials have received more attention in use-wear studies as flaked lithic tools (Clemente Conte et al 2015;Fernández-Marchena and Ollé 2016;Ollé et al 2016). It has been argued that polish in rock crystal only forms as a result of "highly abrasive activities with great pressure and after a relatively long working period" (Fernández-Marchena and Ollé 2016, p. 183).…”

Section: Quartzmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Insights into Use-Wear Development in Bodily Ornaments Through the Study of Ethnographic Collections

Falci

Cuisin

Delpuech

et al. 2018

J Archaeol Method Theory

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The use of microwear analysis has made substantial contributions to the study of archaeological bodily ornaments. However, limitations persist with regard to the interpretation of use and the reconstruction of systems of attachment, hampering a holistic understanding of the diversity of past bodily adornment. This is because the complexities of ornament biographies and the resulting wear traces cannot be grasped exclusively from the study of experimental reference collections. In this paper, we propose to bridge this gap in interpretation by systematically researching ethnographic collections. We conducted a microscopic study of 38 composite ornaments from lowland South America housed at the Musée du quai Branly (Paris). These objects involve organic, biomineral, and inorganic components, attached through different string configurations. The combined use of optical and 3D digital microscopy at different magnification ranges provided a thorough understanding of wear trace formation, distribution, and characterization. We demonstrate how individual beads develop characteristic use-wear in relation to one another and to the strings. We further challenge common assumptions made in the analysis of archaeological ornaments. In sum, this research addresses methodological and interpretative issues in the study of bodily adornment at large, by providing insight into the biographies of objects that were actually worn in a lived context. In the future, our results can be applied as reference for a more effective understanding of the use of ornaments worldwide.

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Section: Quartzmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Insights into Use-Wear Development in Bodily Ornaments Through the Study of Ethnographic Collections

Falci

Cuisin

Delpuech

et al. 2018

J Archaeol Method Theory

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“…There are ethnographic works that account for the use of quartz by shamans and their magical-symbolic function (i.e., [50][51][52]). However, as mentioned by Fenandez-Machena and Ollé (i.e., [53]), these attributions are difficult to prove with materials from archaeological contexts.…”

Section: Quartz As Raw Materialsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Sociocultural Interaction and Symbolism in Prehistoric South America: Quartz Crystal Manuports from Tierra del Fuego

Mansur¹,

Angelis²,

Parmigiani³

et al. 2020

Pleistocene Archaeology - Migration, Technology, and Adaptation

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The use of mineral elements with special characteristics, such as quartz crystals, in ornamental or ceremonial contexts, is not uncommon in archaeology. Their appearance in different archaeological sites is the basis to discuss their significance for past societies. However, while these objects are loaded with symbolic value, it is difficult to identify them in hunter-gatherer sites. In this chapter, we discuss this subject from the case of a series of crystals discovered in the central area of the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego, and we outline their interpretation based on technofunctional analysis confronted with the ethnographic information for the region. Tierra del Fuego is located at the southern tip of South America. It was inhabited by hunter-gatherer societies since the end of last glaciation until the beginning of the twentieth century. In historical times, the central-northern sector of the Big Island was occupied by the Selknam society, in which there is an extensive ethnographic and ethnohistorical bibliography. Archaeological research in the central area of Tierra del Fuego has revealed a continuous occupation of hunter-gatherer societies. The analysis of provenience of raw materials lets us to propose hypothesis about mobility and interaction networks that can be confronted with the ethnographic information.

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“…Observations to characterize use-wear marks was done using three types of microscopes: 1) Euromex binocular microscope with a magnification range between 1× -8× equipped with a Scemex camera and 10× lenses. 2) Zeiss Axio Scope A1 reflected light microscope with differential interference contrast (DIC) system, and a Nomarski interference contrast filter, that ensures better results with translucent materials (Pignat and Plisson, 2000;Araújo Igreja, 2009;Knutsson et al, 2015;Fernández Marchena and Ollé, 2016). This microscope is equipped with objectives EC Epiplan ranging from 5×/ 0.13 to 50×/0.5 HD DIC, allowing observations from 50× to 500×.…”

Section: Microwear Analysis: Stone Sample Cleaning and Microscopic Equipmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, we identified iridescences located on the outer areas of hertzian cones and around crushed areas (Figure 13C). This feature was identifiable only using an optical light microscope and is formed by the light reflexion when passing through fractured crystals (Fernández-Marchena and Ollé, 2016). Additionally, fracture lines were identified towards the exterior zones of the crushed areas formed by the propagation of the impact force that produced fissuring of the crystals without being detached (see Fig.…”

Section: Tools Used On Sos Percussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use-wear and residue analysis of pounding tools used by wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) from Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brazil)

Arroyo

Falótico

Burguet-Coca

et al. 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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Microscopic analysis of technical and functional traces as a method for the use-wear analysis of rock crystal tools

Cited by 26 publications

References 36 publications

New Insights into Use-Wear Development in Bodily Ornaments Through the Study of Ethnographic Collections

New Insights into Use-Wear Development in Bodily Ornaments Through the Study of Ethnographic Collections

Sociocultural Interaction and Symbolism in Prehistoric South America: Quartz Crystal Manuports from Tierra del Fuego

Use-wear and residue analysis of pounding tools used by wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) from Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brazil)

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