Abstract
Ground stone tools served in many physical and social contexts through millennia, reflecting a wide variety of functions. Although ground stone tool studies were neglected for much of early archaeology, the last few decades witnessed a notable international uptick in the way archaeologists confront this multifaceted topic. Today, with the advance of archaeology as a discipline, research into ground stone artefacts is moving into a new phase that integrates high resolution documentation with new methodological, analytical techniques, and technological approaches. These open new vistas for an array of studies and wide-ranging interpretive endeavours related to understanding ground stone tool production and use. Inspired by these diverse analytical approaches and interpretive challenges, we founded the international Association for Ground Stone Tools Research (AGSTR) in order to promote dialogue and create an optimal, inclusive arena for scholars studying various aspects of ground stone artefacts. Scholars from around the globe met for a five day conference at the University of Haifa, for the first meeting of the newly founded AGSTR. This included the presentation of 47 papers and 17 posters. The current paper serves as an introduction to this special issue of JLS, devoted to the proceedings of the founding conference of the Association for Ground Stone Tool Research, held at the University of Haifa during July 2015.
Highlights
Leave no stone unturned: Perspectives on ground stone artefact researchDanny Rosenberg 1, Yorke Rowan 2, Tatjana Gluhak 3 AbstractGround stone tools served in many physical and social contexts through millennia, reflecting a wide variety of functions
Implied in the common assumption that ground stone tool types and assemblages are rarely sensitive indicators in chronological, cultural, or even geographical definition results in a negative feedback: by neglecting the study of ground stone objects, less comparative data was available, hindering the potential analytical value of these items
A change of attitude toward the study of the ground stone tools became evident, with some specific trends becoming clear. One such trend that was reflected in the papers presented during the 1st Association for Ground Stone Tools Research (AGSTR) meeting at the University of Haifa, and visible in this JLS issue, is an increase in the number of papers dealing with ground stone quarries, production, and design (e.g., Cook 1973; Hayden 1987; Schneider 2002; Stocks 2003; Truncer 2006; Rosenberg et al 2008; Anderson & Scarrow 2011; Ebeling & Rosenberg 2015; Vardi 2015; Shimelmitz & Rosenberg 2016; Squitieri & Eitam 2016)
Summary
Leave no stone unturned: Perspectives on ground stone artefact researchDanny Rosenberg 1, Yorke Rowan 2, Tatjana Gluhak 3 AbstractGround stone tools served in many physical and social contexts through millennia, reflecting a wide variety of functions. Such definitions rely heavily on the study of discarded finished tools (items in their 'post-production' and often 'post-use' stage) and the role of flaking, so central to the manufacturing of many ground stone tool types (Rosenberg et al 2008) is commonly neglected or its importance under-valued.
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