“All that glitters is not gold”: Evaluating the Nature of the Relationship Between Archeological Residues and Stone Tool Function

Abstract

Among the main controversial aspects of residue analysis are the correct identification of the residue type, contamination, and the relationship between the residues and the stone tools on which they are found. This paper focuses on the third key issue: how to correctly establish a direct correlation between the micro-residues located on tools and the actions performed with the same tools? Residue analysis was applied to several quartzite flakes coming from the Middle Pleistocene TD10.1 sub-unit of the Gran Dolina site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Bone micro-residues were identified on 10 implements based on comparison with experimental residues. Although their synchrony with the human occupations of the site was confirmed considering soil formation processes, no direct association with human activities, therefore with use, was established. Although fundamental, the correct identification of residues and their synchrony with human occupations at sites are not sufficient to provide functional information. The cause of deposition of residues is far more indicative of tool function than their correct identification, but this is hardly recognizable in the archeological record. This might be a difficult-to-surmount obstacle in residue analysis and must be identified as the major limitation of the method.