Macroscopic and microscopic methods of the material finds research – use-wear analysis 05-MMMBZ-11-KP-ArchU

http://archeo.amu.edu.pl

History of use-wear analysis. The applications and limitations of the method in the process of archaeological data interpretation.Theoretical foundations and the role of the experimental research in use-wear analysis. Research methodology - a procedure of preparing samples for analysis, types of optical equipment, the methods of identification and documentation of macroscopic and microscopic traces. Characterization of particular technological, functional, hafting and postdepositional traces registered on artifacts surfaces (chipping, rounding, polishes, striations, organic and inorganic residues). Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of experimental material acquired from organic and mineral material and the interpretation of obtained data - practical exercises. The research of selected original lithics connected with Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic period - practical exercises.

Module learning aims

Laboratories are intended to familiarize students with the use-wear method and its applications in archaeological data interpretation, fundamental literature and terminology connected with microscopic research of mineral and organic material. The course puts a special emphasis on the microwear analysis of the Stone Age lithic artifacts.

Major

ARCHAEOLOGY

Cycle of studies

2nd cycle

Module type

compulsory

Year of studies (where relevant)

Year 1

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Pyżewicz

Learning outcomes

After completing the course students should be able to perform fundamental use-wear analysis, including:
- assessment of the usefulness of particular artifacts,
- selection of material for microscopic analysis,
- preparation of samples for research,
- operating stereoscopic and metallographic microscope,
- registration and identification of microscopic traces observed on experimental and original surfaces of lithics,
- mastering standard procedures of two basic methods of microscopic analysis - low-power and high-power research.
Students should be able to carry out the comparative research based on the results of macro- and microscopic analysis and determine the characteristic traces registered on experimental and original material.
On the basis of use-wear analysis results, students will be able to answer the questions related to:
- the type of utilization of flint artifacts, particular physical actions which were left characteristic traces on the certain tools, kinds of materials which were worked by individual artifacts,
- the reconstruction of flint implements hafting,
- the identification of different debitage techniques - determination of possible methods of blank production and tools retouching,
- postdepositional processes which influenced the preservation state and the legibility of artifacts' surfaces, which also create special kinds of macro- and microscopic traces.
One of skills that students should master when completing the course is the ability to creatively use data obtained by microscopic analysis. During the classes students, using the results of the macroscopic and microscopic analysis and the experimental research, together with typological, technological and raw material characteristics, will be able to test if there exists a correlation between the material selection, techniques of production, form of the artifacts and their function; made the attempt of the determination of selection motives on the particular stages connected with production and utilization flint artifacts were made; using planigraphic analysis determine types of site planning - camp and settlement organization; interpret some of the habits of the prehistoric societies.
Students, after gaining the fundamental knowledge and their own experience in use-wear analysis, should be able to critically evaluate and use other microscopic data presented in the literature.

Assessment criteria

Credit based on attendance, involvement into discussions and final oral exam.

Bibliography

Keeley L. H., 1980 Experimental Determination of Stone Tool Uses. A Microwear Analysis, Chicago.
Korobkowa G. F., 1999 Narzędzia w pradziejach. Podstawy badania funkcji metodą traseologiczną, Toruń.
Longo L., Skakun N. (red.), 2008 "Prehistoric Technology" 40 Years Later: Functional Studies and the Russian Legacy Proceedings of the International Congress Verona (Italy), 20-23 April 2005, Oxford.
Marreiros J., Nuno Bicho N ., Gibaja Bao J. (red.), International Conference on Use-Wear Analysis. Use-Wear 2012, Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Vaughan P. C., 1985 Use-Wear Analysis of Flaked Stone Tools, Tucson.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 05-MMMBZ-11-KP-ArchU in USOSweb