Taxonomic characterisation of fresh Dipterocarpaceae resins by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS): providing clues for identification of unknown archaeological resins

Burger, Pauline; Charrié-Duhaut, Armelle; Connan, Jacques; Albrecht, Pierre

doi:10.1007/s12520-010-0050-z

Cited by 23 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The advantage of GC/MS over microscopic examinations is that it is possible to conclusively identify the source of resinous material and identify compounds present in a mixture [23]. Microscopic examination, if not substantiated by chemical analysis cannot be considered conclusive for the identification of resinous material [24, 25]. GC/MS is currently considered the most robust method or the taxonomic characterization of organic adhesives [26].…”

Section: Introduction: the Identification Of Haftingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hafting of Middle Paleolithic tools in Latium (central Italy): New data from Fossellone and Sant’Agostino caves

et al. 2019

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Hafting of stone tools was an important advance in the technology of the Paleolithic. Evidence of hafting in the Middle Paleolithic is growing and is not limited to points hafted on spears for thrusting or throwing. This article describes the identification of adhesive used for hafting on a variety of stone tools from two Middle Paleolithic caves in Latium, Fossellone Cave and Sant’Agostino Cave. Analysis of the organic residue by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry shows that a conifer resin adhesive was used, in one case mixed with beeswax. Contrary to previous suggestions that the small Middle Paleolithic tools of Latium could be used by hand and that hafting was not needed since it did not improve their functionality, our evidence shows that hafting was used by Neandertals in central Italy. Ethnographic evidence indicates that resin, which dries when exposed to air, is generally warmed by exposure to a small fire thus softened to be molded and pushed in position in the haft. The use of resin at both sites suggests regular fire use, as confirmed by moderate frequencies of burnt lithics in both assemblages. Lithic analysis shows that hafting was applied to a variety of artifacts, irrespective of type, size and technology. Prior to our study evidence of hafting in the Middle Paleolithic of Italy was limited to one case only.

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Section: Introduction: the Identification Of Haftingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hafting of Middle Paleolithic tools in Latium (central Italy): New data from Fossellone and Sant’Agostino caves

et al. 2019

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“…However optical microscopy alone cannot securely distinguish between plant gums (polysaccharides, e.g. from Acacia ) and resins (typically terpenoid secretions from plants, particularly coniferous trees) [ 92 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Still Bay and Howiesons Poort at Sibudu and Blombos: Understanding Middle Stone Age Technologies

et al. 2015

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The classification of archaeological assemblages in the Middle Stone Age of South Africa in terms of diversity and temporal continuity has significant implications with respect to recent cultural evolutionary models which propose either gradual accumulation or discontinuous, episodic processes for the emergence and diffusion of cultural traits. We present the results of a systematic technological and typological analysis of the Still Bay assemblages from Sibudu and Blombos. A similar approach is used in the analysis of the Howiesons Poort (HP) assemblages from Sibudu seen in comparison with broadly contemporaneous assemblages from Rose Cottage and Klasies River Cave 1A. Using our own and published data from other sites we report on the diversity between stone artifact assemblages and discuss to what extent they can be grouped into homogeneous lithic sets. The gradual evolution of debitage techniques within the Howiesons Poort sequence with a progressive abandonment of the HP technological style argues against the saltational model for its disappearance while the technological differences between the Sibudu and Blombos Still Bay artifacts considerably weaken an interpretation of similarities between the assemblages and their grouping into the same cultural unit. Limited sampling of a fragmented record may explain why simple models of cultural evolution do not seem to apply to a complex reality.

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“…In these cases the identification of resin was achieved by visual inspection and optical microscopy. Microscopic examination, if not substantiated by chemical analysis, cannot be considered conclusive for the identification of resinous materials (33,34). We used a combined analytical procedure based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the identification of lipids, waxes, proteins, resinous materials, and saccharides in the same microsample (35,36).…”

Section: Microliths and Hafting Pitchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Border Cave and the beginning of the Later Stone Age in South Africa

Villa

Soriano

Tsanova

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

177

122

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The transition from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) to the Later Stone Age (LSA) in South Africa was not associated with the appearance of anatomically modern humans and the extinction of Neandertals, as in the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Western Europe. It has therefore attracted less attention, yet it provides insights into patterns of technological evolution not associated with a new hominin. Data from Border Cave (KwaZulu-Natal) show a strong pattern of technological change at approximately 44-42 ka cal BP, marked by adoption of techniques and materials that were present but scarcely used in the previous MSA, and some novelties. The agent of change was neither a revolution nor the advent of a new species of human. Although most evident in personal ornaments and symbolic markings, the change from one way of living to another was not restricted to aesthetics. Our analysis shows that: (i) at Border Cave two assemblages, dated to 45-49 and >49 ka, show a gradual abandonment of the technology and tool types of the post-Howiesons Poort period and can be considered transitional industries; (ii) the 44-42 ka cal BP assemblages are based on an expedient technology dominated by bipolar knapping, with microliths hafted with pitch from Podocarpus bark, worked suid tusks, ostrich eggshell beads, bone arrowheads, engraved bones, bored stones, and digging sticks; (iii) these assemblages mark the beginning of the LSA in South Africa; (iv) the LSA emerged by internal evolution; and (v) the process of change began sometime after 56 ka.human behavior | hafting pitch | hunting weapons | gathering equipment

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Taxonomic characterisation of fresh Dipterocarpaceae resins by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS): providing clues for identification of unknown archaeological resins

Cited by 23 publications

References 47 publications

Hafting of Middle Paleolithic tools in Latium (central Italy): New data from Fossellone and Sant’Agostino caves

Hafting of Middle Paleolithic tools in Latium (central Italy): New data from Fossellone and Sant’Agostino caves

The Still Bay and Howiesons Poort at Sibudu and Blombos: Understanding Middle Stone Age Technologies

Border Cave and the beginning of the Later Stone Age in South Africa

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