Intra-raw material variability and use-wear accrual: A continuing exploration

Harry J Lerner

doi:10.2218/jls.v1i1.755

Abstract

This paper presents the latest results of an ongoing research initiative into the role of lithic raw material variability in use-wear formation. The present study continues recent exploration of wear formation associated with working dry hide. The work presented here expands on a recently published study of two raw materials from the American Southwest [San Juan Fossiliferous Chert (SJF) and Yellow Silicified Wood (YSW)] (Lerner, In Press) by presenting the analysis of two additional materials [Morrison Undifferentiated Gray Chert (MUG) and Brushy Basin Silicified Siltstone (BB)] using the same quantitative measures from the previous study (area percent, density, average intensity.) The methods used have broad geographic and temporal applicability, thus the potential for contributing to greater standardization in the quantification of archaeological use-wear.

Highlights

Great strides have been made in improving visualization of use-wear at high magnifications, but still lacking is a truly systematic way of documenting quantitatively the physical evidence of tool using behaviour
Beyond the purview of the current study given its primary goal of assessing in a preliminary manner the role of raw material variability in the use-wear accrual process, the petrographic characterization
Raw materials with greater surface hardness tended to be more resistant to wear; the results showed that surface roughness had an equal, if not greater, influence on rates of use-wear accrual (Lerner, 2007a, 2007b, 2009; Lerner et al, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Great strides have been made in improving visualization of use-wear at high magnifications, but still lacking is a truly systematic way of documenting quantitatively the physical evidence of tool using behaviour. Beyond the purview of the current study given its primary goal of assessing in a preliminary manner the role of raw material variability in the use-wear accrual process, the petrographic characterization (cf Mansur, 1999) of each raw material studied is essential for more fully understanding how wear forms on their respective surfaces and how we interpret the resulting traces. This line of inquiry will form the basis for future installments of the larger initiative

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion