Journal of Lithic Studies
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Biography of Are Tsirk (1937-2015): Flintknapper and scholar
Get PDFAre Tsirk was as much a scholar as he was a flintknapper. These disciplines were intertwined and expressed in his experimental research, by way of his exploration of fractography, and his replication of stone tools which spanned the archaeological record of several continents
Conociendo la función del utillaje lítico tallado: Veinticinco años de análisis traceológicos aplicados a contextos neolíticos del noreste de la Península Ibérica
Get PDFGetting to know the function of the flaked stone tools: Twenty-five years of use-wear analysis on the Neolithic assemblages of the NE of the Iberian PeninsulaThis paper deals with the functionality of the flaked stone assemblages from several Neolithic sites of the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. The chronological framework ranges from the mid-6th to the mid-4th millennium cal. BCE, which corresponds to the Early and Middle Neolithic. This long period ranges from the arrival of the first farming communities in the Iberian Peninsula, around 5600-5500 cal. BCE, to 3600-3500 cal. BCE, two millennia later, when Neolithic communities had stably occupied most of the available territory, from the mountainous areas of the Pyrenees to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean.In this context, the NE of the Iberian Peninsula is one of the areas where a major number of use-wear analyses have been carried out, especially for what concerns the Neolithic period. This is mainly due to the interest shown by the directors of the excavations and by the Spanish use-wear specialists as well; both participated and cooperated in order to enlarge the number of contexts studied, making the NE of the Iberian Peninsula one of the areas of Europe with the largest number of ‘functional studies’. As a result, today we have a reliable picture of the type of lithic tools used by the first farming groups, how they were used, and which needs they were satisfying.The methodology employed for this type of analysis is today broadly shared by most use-wear specialists. A stereoscopic microscope is used together with a reflected-light microscope for the analysis of the archaeological specimens. Afterwards, the observed use-wear traces are compared with the traces from experimental tools. This study primarily made use of the tools preserved at the ‘Traceoteque’ of the Institución Milà y Fontanals of the CSIC of Barcelona.This paper presents the results obtained for the different types of analysed sites and the relative lithic assemblages. In this way, tools from different contexts are compared: open-air sites, caves and rock-shelters, pit-sites, burials, and mining sites. Such a diversity of contexts allowed for the exploration of the existence of recurrences and differences in the functionality of the lithic tools from one site to another. The results obtained have also provided information on some aspects related to the economic processes carried out at the different sites, caves, rock-shelters and open-air contexts. It has been possible to gain fresh data on the types of tasks carried out and their relative importance for each site, their relation with the geographical and environmental context and the natural resources available there. In addition, analysing tools recovered from burials – mainly individual inhumations – provided information on the relationships between the buried individuals and the working tools, in particular exploring the relationships between sex and age patterns and the types of tools deposited as goods.In conclusion, use-wear analysis allowed for the exploration of a variety of issues; from technical aspects related to the production and management of the lithic resources to social aspects related to the subsistence activities and the individuals that carried them out.En este trabajo abordamos el análisis de la función de los instrumentos líticos tallados de diversos contextos neolíticos del noreste peninsular. El marco cronológico se sitúa entre mediados del VI milenio y mediados del IV cal. BC, lo que ha venido a llamarse el neolítico antiguo y el neolítico medio. De esta manera abordamos desde las primeras evidencias dejadas por las comunidades neolíticas que llegaron al noreste de la Península Ibérica, alrededor del 5600-5500 cal. BC, hasta dos milenios más tarde, alrededor del 3600-3500 cal. BC, cuando han ocupado todo el territorio desde las zonas más cercanas al mar hasta las áreas montañosas del Pirineo.En este sentido, el noreste de la Península ha sido una de las zonas donde se han realizado un mayor número de análisis traceológicos, especialmente de contextos neolíticos. Ello ha sido consecuencia, sobre todo, del interés por los directores de excavación y de ciertos especialistas en huellas de uso. Esa dualidad es la que explica que sea una de las zonas de Europa donde se hayan realizado numerosos estudios sobre la función de los instrumentos. El resultado es que hoy tenemos una imagen fidedigna de cómo eran y a qué actividades destinaron los instrumentos líticos aquellas primeras sociedades agricultoras y pastoras. La metodología empleada es la que habitualmente se usa en este tipo de análisis; es decir, se han utilizado de manera conjunta una lupa binocular y un microscopio metalográfico por el análisis de los útiles arqueológicos. Luego, los rastros observados han sido comparados con los útiles experimentales conservados en la ‘Traceoteca’, la colección experimental de la Institución Milà y Fontanals del CSIC en Barcelona.En este trabajo daremos información sobre los distintos yacimientos estudiados y sobre el utillaje que se ha documentado en distintos contextos arqueológicos, lo que ha permitido su comparación: asentamientos al aire libre, cuevas y abrigos, fosas con desechos, enterramientos y depósitos mineros. Esta diversidad de contextos es enormemente importante porque nos ha proporcionado información relevante sobre cada uno de ellos y nos han permitido observar si hay modelos comunes en relación a la morfología de los instrumentos y a las actividades a las que se han destinado. Los resultados obtenidos nos han facilitado además conocer ciertos aspectos relacionados con las estrategias económicas establecidas en los distintos asentamientos, sean al aire libre, cueva o abrigo. Hemos observado qué peso tienen las distintas actividades y qué relación tienen con el tipo de asentamiento, su localización geográfica y las áreas de captación de recursos que aquellas sociedades tenían a su alrededor. Pero también el hecho de trabajar con los útiles documentados en sepulturas, habitualmente individuales, nos han facilitado conocer qué materiales eran seleccionados para dejarlos como ajuar en los enterramientos y si éstos estaban vinculados con determinados individuos en base a su sexo y edad. En conclusión, el estudio de la función del utillaje lítico nos permite abarcar una variedad de temas; desde aspectos técnicos vinculados con los modos de producción y gestión de los recursos minerales hasta aspectos sociales relacionados a las actividades de subsistencia y a los individuos que las realizaron
Event review: The Archaeology Centre Knap-In and Goat Roast, Toronto, Canada
Get PDFAs a part of its programming line-up, The Archaeology Centre at the University of Toronto hosts a number of faculty and student-run interest groups that bring together archaeologists from the Toronto community. These groups foster interdepartmental and community collaboration among those who share similar research pursuits. In May 2015, the Lithics Interest Group and Food and Subsistence Interest Group organized an end-of-year knap-in and goat roast. Its goal was to introduce students to flintknapping and food production, and to celebrate an excellent year for the Archaeology Centre
Lithic raw material procurement for projectiles points in the prehistory of Uruguay
Get PDFThis paper focuses on current research on early colonisation of the Atlantic coast of South America during the early Holocene. We present advances in the investigation of raw material procurement at the Rincón de los Indios site, located in the eastern part of Uruguay. The technological studies suggest that some aspects of different styles of projectile points are related with environmental adaptation processes, experienced by the first American people in the New World. The occupation of new spaces and new forms of exploitation of resources changes the organisation of lithic technology. The distance to good quality rocks were critical for the opportunities and economic organisation of hunting groups. The study of changes in lithic procurement strategies for projectile points helps us develop a more comprehensive knowledge of this important social adaptation process which occurred during this period. These patterns started to become stabilised in the latter part of the early Holocene across the extended territory and confirm the efficient land occupation associated an intensive hunter-gatherer economies
Six Month Download and View Report (Vol 1, Nr. 2)
No full textThe following report summarises the number of views and downloads of each of the articles in Volume 1, Number 2 of the Journal of Lithic Studies for the first six months after publication of this issue
Tafonomía y tecnología lítica en un ambiente altamente dinámico: El caso de la pinguinera del islote La Pastosa (Pcia. de Río Negro) Patagonia, Argentina
Get PDFTaphonomy and lithic technology in a highly dynamic environment: The case of the penguin colony of La Pastosa Islet (Río Negro Province), Patagonia, ArgentinaThis paper presents the first results of taphonomic and technological analyses of the lithic assemblage recovered on La Pastosa Islet, on the coast of Río Negro province, Patagonia, Argentina. This archaeological record is particular because it has been under a high formational dynamic and is located in an area recently occupied by a colony of Magellan penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Two samplings of lithic material were made, for which technological, metric and taphonomic variables were registered.La Pastosa is an 8 hectare islet, which is located 768 m. from the continent, and is only attached to it at low tide by a narrow land strip that runs through a marsh. While the absolute age of this island is unknown, we know that from the late Holocene, around 3000 BP, sea level reached current levels (Favier Dubois 2013), and since that time the islet was visited by hunter-gatherers, who buried their dead in the highest part of the island (Favier Dubois et al. 2007, Favier Dubois et al. 2009). Today, this area has a great biodiversity, such as a reproductive colony of sea lions (Otaria flavescens) which has recently formed (Svendsen et al. 2009: 8) as well as a variety of seabirds.Artifact sampling was focused on the area of greatest density of lithic artifacts, currently close to the center of the islet (Figure 1). The context of recovery of these materials can be divided into three categories: A) common transit areas of penguins that give shape to paths free of vegetation; B) burrow entrances C) marginal spaces that correspond to sectors of debris accumulation (twigs and dry grass, feathers, Penguin carcasses) on the margins of the transit area (Figure 2).During sampling, the original position of the artifacts, or face of recovery, and context of discovery were recorded. At the lab, general typological (tool, core, or debitage), raw materials, metrics (volume in mm3), and taphonomic variables were registered. The latter in particular were used to characterize and compare both assemblages.The recording and analysis of artifact modification due to taphonomic processes is a line of research to approach the intensity of the physical transformations in the archaeological context, and to indicate their degree of integrity (Schiffer 1983; Burroni et al. 2002). The variables recorded were as follows, the level of weathering in each tool face (W: W0, W1, W2, W3); the presence of carbonate concretion; and the integrity of the piece (whole or broken).The results show that intensive penguin traffic and burrow activity exposed buried materials in certain sectors (Figure 5.1), which are pushed through paths with no vegetation (Figure 5.2) and redeposited in “fall off” areas with little or no circulation (Figure 5.3). These are mostly small patches of vegetation and organic waste, which have high relative stability. For this reason we believe that in these patches, materials are more likely to accumulate and perhaps re-enter into the substrate. Preliminary evidence obtained for this study area suggests that the lithic record is in continuous formation, in this case because of the action of penguins. Since the establishment of this colony is recent, its impact on the archaeological record is significant.Este trabajo presenta los primeros resultados de los análisis tafonómicos y tecnológicos realizados sobre el conjunto lítico recuperado en el islote La Pastosa, costa de Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina (Figura 1). Este registro presenta la particularidad de poseer una alta dinámica formacional ya que se encuentra en un área actualmente ocupada por una colonia de pingüinos Magallánicos (Spheniscus magellanicus). Se realizaron dos muestreos de material lítico sobre los cuales se registraron variables tecnológicas, métricas y tafonómicas.La Pastosa es el islote de 8 Ha que se ubica a 768 m. del continente, y sólo queda unido a éste durante la bajamar por una estrecha franja de tierra que atraviesa una marisma. Si bien se desconoce la edad absoluta de este islote, sabemos que a partir del Holoceno tardío, alrededor del 3000 A.P. se habría estabilizado el nivel de costa (Favier Dubois 2013), y ya para ese entonces fue visitado por cazadores- recolectores, quienes realizaron allí inhumaciones humanas en la parte más elevada (Favier Dubois et al. 2009). En la actualidad, este espacio presenta una gran diversidad faunística, hallándose en el sector litoral noreste del islote (frente al mar abierto), un apostadero reproductivo de lobos marinos de un pelo (Otaria flavescens) de reciente formación (Svendsen et al. 2009: 8), así como una gran variedad de aves marinas).Las tareas de muestreo se centraron en el sector de mayor densidad de artefactos líticos, cercana en la actualidad al área central del islote (Figura 1). El contexto de recuperación de los materiales puede ser dividido en tres categorías: A) sectores de tránsito de los pingüinos, que conforman senderos libres de vegetación; B) la boca de las madrigueras y C) espacios marginales que se corresponden a los sectores de acumulación de desechos (pequeñas ramas y pasto seco, plumas, excrementos, carcasas de pingüino) en los márgenes de la zona de tránsito (Figura 2).Durante la recolección se registró la posición original de los artefactos, o cara de recuperación, así como el contexto del hallazgo. Posteriormente, en el laboratorio se relevaron variables tipológicas (instrumento, núcleo, desecho de talla), materia prima; así como métricas (volumen en mm3) y tafonómicas. Particularmente estas últimas fueron utilizadas para caracterizar y comparar ambos conjuntos.El registro y análisis de las variables tafonómicas indicadoras de las alteraciones es una línea deinvestigación para aproximarse a la intensidad de las transformaciones físicas del contexto,indicando a su vez el grado de integridad del mismo (Schiffer 1983; Burroni et al. 2002). Las variables consignadas fueron: el estadio de alteración producto de la meteorización física de la pieza por cara (W: W0, W1, W2, W3); la presencia por cara de concreción de carbonato en porcentaje; y el estado de integridad de la pieza (entero o fragmentado).Los resultados obtenidos muestran que a través del tránsito por determinados sectores y la excavación de los nidos, los pingüinos exponen material sepultado (Figura 5.1), el que es desplazado a través de las vías de circulación de estos mismos animales (Figura 5.2), pudiendo ser luego redepositado en sectores marginales de circulación (Figura 5.3). Tal como se mencionó éstos son principalmente pequeños parches de vegetación y desechos orgánicos, que poseen una estabilidad relativa alta. Por este motivo creemos que en estos parches, los materiales tienen mayor posibilidad de acumularse y tal vez reingresar al sustrato. La evidencia preliminar obtenida para esta área de estudio sugiere que el registro lítico está en continua conformación, en este caso a partir de la acción de los pingüinos y si bien el establecimiento de esta colonia es reciente, su impacto en el registro arqueológico es muy significativo
Book review: Contemporary Lithic Analysis in the Southeast: Problems, Solutions, and Interpretations
Get PDFThis volume represents the outgrowth of practical and theoretical research in lithic analysis in the southeastern United States. Although the papers are regionally specific, the examples and methods used provide ample reason for lithic analysts and interested archaeologists in any region to acquire a copy. The text is organized into thirteen chapters on topics of the individual author’s choosing with the caveat that all papers relate to lithic research and analysis in the greater southeastern United States. The editors placed no theoretical or methodological constraints upon the contributors. Each paper follows an organization of technology approach in method and interpretation
Twelve Month Download and View Report (Vol 1, Nr. 2)
No full textThe following report summarises the number of views and downloads of each of the articles in Volume 1, Number 2 of the Journal of Lithic Studies until twelve months after publication of this issue
El sílex en su contexto geológico: Un corpus de datos para el Pirineo centro-oriental
Get PDFChert in its geological context: A data corpus for the central-eastern PyreneesThe analysis of lithic raw materials from an archaeopetrological perspective is essential if the aim is to better understand human groups who used this resource. Archaeopetrology considers lithic tools as natural and cultural remains, taking into account both natural (e.g. petrographical, micropaleontological, and geochemical) and cultural (e.g. technological, typological and traceological) aspects.We have focused our attention in the Pyrenees Mountain Range, as a specific geographical space, strategic by its location and understood long time ago as a barrier and now as a place of human interaction. This research area is an ideal location for the analysis of lithic raw materials.The Pyrenees correspond to the portion of the Pyrenean chain that extends between the Gulf of Lion and the Bay of Biscay. From North to South three major areas have been identified: the Norpyrenean Zone, the Axial Zone and the Basque Massif and Southpyrenean Zone (Vera, 2004) (Figure 1). For this study, we have analyzed the geological formations with chert located in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees.To achieve our goals, first we consulted the existing geological mapping, to see what formations included chert. Having detected the areas potentially containing chert, a series of field surveys took place. The goal was to detect and describe outcrops and proceed to sampling chert for latter characterize them at the laboratory. To accomplish this research at the laboratory, petroarchaeological methods were applied. These methods use descriptions and classifications from the natural sciences, such as petrology, to characterise, define and name rocks used by past societies. Initially a petroarchaeological characterisation of more than 300 chert evidences recovered from up to 75 outcrops was undertaken. This characterization was done in terms of two scales of analyses. First, a macroscopic examination of the entire set was carried out using a binocular microscope. Afterwards, a petrographic and micropaleontological characterization of those materials was performed by analysing them in thin sections.As a result of the fieldwork carried out, a total of 20 geological formations containing chert were identified: 10 outcropping in the Northern Pyrenean slopes and 10 in the Southern Pyrenean slopes. As it has been said, more than 300 chert evidences recovered from up to 75 outcrops were analyzed, obtaining the results we present below.In this paper we present the 20 geological formations with chert outcropping in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees. The textural, petrographic and micropaleontological analysis of these cherts has allowed us to document different siliceous varieties with a variable knapping aptitude.According to their special features and appearance in the archaeological record of distant sites, two long distance tracers have been identified. These are the Agua-Salenz Formation cherts and the Nankin Formation cherts. Both silicifations possess distinctive features allowing us to define strong differences from a macroscopic point of view (inclusions and micropaleontological content). The presence of these cherts in several archaeological sites located at more than 200 km away from the outcropping area is indicating a long distance exchange (e.g. Agua-Salenz cherts in Belvis Cave or Nankin cherts in Parco Cave) (Sánchez 2015). Consequently, these cherts of the Agua-Salenz Formation and the Nankin Formation can be interpreted as examples of long distance tracers for the Central-Eastern Pyrenees.To conclude, in this study are described the geological formations with chert documented in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees. This data corpus is a helpful tool for other researchers interested in lithic raw materials procurement.En este artículo se presentan las características texturales, petrográficas y micropaleontológicas de las distintas silicificaciones que afloran en el Pirineo centro-oriental. Para esta investigación se han analizado más de 300 muestras procedentes de 75 afloramientos primarios y subprimarios. Las descripciones son el resultado de un intenso trabajo de campo desarrollado en la última década en ambas vertientes de la Cordillera Pirenaica. El corpus de datos que presentamos provee detalladas descripciones de la totalidad de recursos silíceos disponibles en este área, facilitando futuras investigaciones arqueopetrológicas desarrolladas en el ámbito geográfico pirenaico. Finalmente, debido a las particularidades que poseen algunas silicificaciones y a su amplia difusión en el registro arqueológico, presentamos lo que hemos definido como dos trazadores litológicos del área pirenaica
Event review: Chipped stone tools workshops 2014, Skopje, Macedonia
Get PDFIn February and March 2014, HAEMUS, the Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, organized public stone tools workshops. The workshops titled “The stories written in stone” were held at the Museum of the Old Bazaar in Skopje with the help of the Skopje City Museum. The workshops combined students from both the Department of Archaeology at Saints Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and the Department of Archaeology at Goce Delčev University in Shtip and were hosted by prehistoric stone tools specialist Vasilka Dimitrovska