Effects of Weathering on the Coloration of Chert and Its Implications for Provenance Studies

Cackler, Paul R.; Glascock, Michael D.; Neff, Héctor; Chiarulli, Beverly

doi:10.1080/01977261.1999.11720949

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Alterations may be expressed at macroscopic, mesoscopic, microscopic and ultramicroscopic scales and generally an alteration develops a gradient from the outer surface inwards and away from the SRO's cortex. Analysis of surficial alterations recorded in siliceous rocks and artefacts is not new, having been studied by many archaeologists to determine the significance of patinas, glosses, changes related to displacement, variations of temperature and for several mineralogical transformations (Aubry 1975;Besançon 1982;Burroni et al 2002;Cackler et al 2000;Caspar et al 2003;Coutard & Ouzouf 2008;Curwen 1940;Glauberman & Thorson 2012;Graetsch and Grünberg 2012;Hardaker 2012;Hewit 1915;Howard 2002;Hue 1929;Hurst and Kelly 1961;Journaux & Coutard 1974;Levi-Sala 1986;Rottländer 1975;Stapert 1976; Lithic Studies (2018) vol. 5, nr.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grand-Pressigny was not alone: Acquiring and sharing data about raw materials in the collective research project “Réseau de lithothèques en région Centre-Val de Loire” (France)

Delvigne

Fernandes

Tufféry

et al. 2018

JLS

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In the wake of the discovery of numerous large blade workshops at Le Grand-Pressigny site (Indre-et-Loire, France), which initially aroused great interest, the mid-Loire Valley region became central to studies of flint diffusion. Despite the quality of the initial work, the widely shared view now is that the capacity for this concept to continue to provide useful archaeological modelling has diminished. Establishing real and actual correlations between archaeological objects and geological samples remains difficult, making it almost impossible to determine the source of certain materials represented in an archaeological series. In response to this problem, the French collective research project "Réseau de lithothèque en région Centre-Val de Loire" assembled about 30 amateur and professional researchers from various European institutions to work on three strategic missions: Mission 1: establish a list of current lithotheques (“rock-libraries” or comparative collections), verify their contents and complete them if necessary; Mission 2: link the major types of depositional environments with the properties acquired by flint through its life; Mission 3: spread knowledge and information both within the project and to all interested persons. The project is closely associated with similar French programs already in place in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Aquitaine regions. The ultimate objective is to build a national and international community around a common project, bringing participants together regularly to share knowledge and technical expertise.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grand-Pressigny was not alone: Acquiring and sharing data about raw materials in the collective research project “Réseau de lithothèques en région Centre-Val de Loire” (France)

Delvigne

Fernandes

Tufféry

et al. 2018

JLS

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“…This is based on some weathering process involving immersion in salt/brackish water and possibly manganese oxidation (Shafer and Hester 1990:281;Luedtke 1992;Hester and Shafer 1994;Cackler et at. 1999: 394-396;Cackler et al 2000).…”

Section: Lithic Rawmaterials Types From San Pedromentioning

confidence: 98%

Maya Coastal Subsistence and Craft—Production at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize: The Lithic Use-Wear Evidence

Stemp

2004

Lithic Technology

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AbstmctUse-wear analysis of the chipped chert and chakedony tools excavated from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, has provided substantial insight into the activities performed by the Maya living at the site from the Classic through Historic periods. The determination of tool action and the materials that were worked by the ancient inhabitants reveals that most activities concentrated on basic subsistence in a coastal environment, with the possibility of small-scale craft-production for local consumption and some regional trade. There is only minor variation in activities undertaken by the San Pedro Maya throughout the lengthy occupation of this site based on the distribution of stone tools with use-related wear.

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“…Despite its potential, lithic weathering per se , typical of desert environments, has not been examined as an independent or complementary proxy for determining relative ages and site formation. Weathering, a process that progressively destroys the archaeological record, affects stone artifacts (lithics), which, either buried or exposed, can undergo significant changes over time (Schiffer, , ; Hiscock, ; Sheppard & Pavlish, ; Cackler et al., ). Some of these modifications contain information about the depositional history of lithic assemblages, and about atmospheric and climatic processes (Dincauze, : 51).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Do Surficial Lithic Assemblages Weather in Arid Environments? A Case Study from the Atacama Desert, Northern Chile

Ugalde¹,

Santoro

Gayó

et al. 2015

Geoarchaeology

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Artículo de publicación ISIArchaeological sites composed only of surficial lithics are widespread in arid environments. Numerical dating of such sites is challenging, however, and even establishing a relative chronology can be daunting. One potentially helpful method for assigning relative chronologies is to use lithic weathering, on the assumption that the most weathered artifacts are also the oldest. Yet, few studies have systematically assessed how local environmental processes affect weathering of surficial lithics. Using macroscopic analyses, we compared the weathering of surficial lithic assemblages from seven mid-to-late Holocene archaeological sites sampled from four different microenvironments in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Changes in polish, texture, shine, and color were used to establish significant differences in weathering between two kinds of locations: interfluves and canyon sites. Lithics from interfluve sites were moderately to highly weathered by wind and possessed a dark coating, whereas canyon lithics were mildly weathered despite greater exposure to moisture, often lacked indications of eolian abrasion, and lacked dark coatings. Our results show that lithic weathering can be used as a proxy for relative age, but only after considering local environmental factors. The power of such chronologies can be improved by combining archaeological, paleoenvironmental, geomorphological, and taphonomic data.Fondecyt 1070140-1120454-313066

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Effects of Weathering on the Coloration of Chert and Its Implications for Provenance Studies

Cited by 13 publications

References 19 publications

Grand-Pressigny was not alone: Acquiring and sharing data about raw materials in the collective research project “Réseau de lithothèques en région Centre-Val de Loire” (France)

Grand-Pressigny was not alone: Acquiring and sharing data about raw materials in the collective research project “Réseau de lithothèques en région Centre-Val de Loire” (France)

Maya Coastal Subsistence and Craft—Production at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize: The Lithic Use-Wear Evidence

How Do Surficial Lithic Assemblages Weather in Arid Environments? A Case Study from the Atacama Desert, Northern Chile

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