Article (Scientific journals)
Extracting residues from stone tools for optical analysis: towards an experiment-based protocol
Cnuts, Dries; Rots, Veerle
2018In Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 10 (7), p. 1717–1736
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Keywords :
Residue analysis; Lithic; Extraction; Pipette; Ultrasonic bath; Residue adhesion; Residue cause
Abstract :
[en] The identification of residues is traditionally based on the distinctive morphologies of the residue fragments by means of light microscopy. Most residue fragments are amorphous, in the sense that they lack distinguishing shapes or easily visible structures under reflected light microscopy. Amorphous residues can only be identified by using transmitted light microscopy, which requires the extraction of residues from the tool’s surface. Residues are usually extracted with a pipette or an ultrasonic bath in combination with distilled water. However, a number of researchers avoid residue extraction because it is unclear whether current extraction techniques are representative for the use-related residue that adheres to a flaked stone tool. In this paper, we aim at resolving these methodological uncertainties by critically evaluating current extraction methodologies. Attention is focused on the variation in residue types, their causes of deposition and their adhesion and on the most successful technique for extracting a range of residue types from the stone tool surface. Based on an experimental reference sample in flint, we argue that a stepwise extraction protocol is most successful in providing rep- resentative residue extractions and in preventing damage, destruction or loss of residue.
Research center :
AAP - Art, Archéologie et Patrimoine - ULiège
Disciplines :
Archaeology
Author, co-author :
Cnuts, Dries  ;  Université de Liège > Département des sciences historiques > Archéologie préhistorique
Rots, Veerle  ;  Université de Liège > Département des sciences historiques > Archéologie préhistorique
Language :
English
Title :
Extracting residues from stone tools for optical analysis: towards an experiment-based protocol
Publication date :
October 2018
Journal title :
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
ISSN :
1866-9557
eISSN :
1866-9565
Publisher :
Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, Germany
Volume :
10
Issue :
7
Pages :
1717–1736
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
European Projects :
FP7 - 312283 - EVO-HAFT - Evolution of stone tool hafting in the Palaeolithic
Name of the research project :
Evohaft
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
CE - Commission Européenne [BE]
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since 19 April 2017

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