Abstract
Several isolated studies have tried to understand quartzite from an archaeological perspective by applying two different methodological approaches. The first one is based on non-destructive characterisation, aiming to understand human procurement and management of quartzite, without solid geoarchaeological criteria. The second characterised the material from archaeological sites using only petrographic or geochemical perspectives of a limited sample. Currently, both perspectives are unconnected, creating a methodological gap that needs to be solved to study the procurement and management of quartzite in greater depth. The present study, mainly methodological, will explore the gap between petrographic analysis and non-destructive characterisation. Doing so, we could fill this vacuum of information and generate a solid geoarchaeological basis to characterise not only a sample but complete assemblages. To this end, we analyse the lithic assemblages at El Arteu and El Habario, two Middle-Palaeolithic sites in the Cantabrian Region, northern Spain. We summarise the main results derived from petrographic analysis, but especially we will focus on non-destructive criteria to characterise the lithic surfaces of archaeological quartzite using stereoscope microscopy. This process allows us to understand the complete assemblage but also, through technological characterisation, understand the management of different quartzite petrogenetic types in both sites.
Highlights
Quartzite in archaeologyThe study of raw materials used for lithic implements is a well-known topic of research in prehistoric archaeology
All these elements create a better understanding on the economy created around raw materials and the complex management and catchment patterns followed by Palaeolithic societies
We summarise the main results derived from the petrographic and geochemical characterisation of 18 samples recently published by our research group (Prieto et al 2019), but especially, we will focus on non-destructive criteria to characterise the lithic surfaces of quartzites using stereoscope microscopy and descriptive characterisation
Summary
Quartzite in archaeologyThe study of raw materials used for lithic implements is a well-known topic of research in prehistoric archaeology. Since the beginning of this scientific discipline, petrological description and classification of rocks transformed into artefacts was carried out by the first prehistorians, such as Juan Villanova i Piera or Édouard Lartet (Pelayo López and Gonzalo Gutiérrez 2012) The characterisation of these raw materials has become more detailed and frequent since the 1950s through the use of classic petrological methodologies and because of increasing archaeologist interest in new perspectives to understand prehistoric societies (Polanyi 1957). Research focussed on economic and social dynamics through the techno-typological characterisation of lithic assemblages has increased our knowledge of the acquisition and management of flint (Andrefsky 1994; Roebroeks 1988; Turq 1996) All these elements create a better understanding on the economy created around raw materials and the complex management and catchment patterns followed by Palaeolithic societies
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