Introduction. Leave no stone unturned: Perspectives on ground stone artefact research

Abstract

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.Keywords: ground stone tools; food production; archaeology; anthropology; AGSTR Ground stone artefacts served in widely divergent physical and social contexts through millennia, reflecting a variety of functions documented through a century of archaeological, ethnographic, and historical research. An ill-defined group of archaeological artefacts ranging from portable items to large immobile equipment and bedrock features, this broad artefact category cross-cuts geographic and chronological boundaries, from generalized grinding and pounding tools, to more task-specific tools, such as weapons, vessels, and single-function items. For this reason, precise definitions of "ground stone artefacts" are difficult and frequently pertain to a specific assemblage or group of assemblages (Gopher & Orrelle 1995: 13; Sparks 2007: 1-3; Rosenberg & Garfinkel 2014: XIII). Scholars define ground stone objects in different ways, producing complex typological and classificatory systems (e.g., Warren 1969;Wright 1991Wright , 1993Gopher & Orrelle 1995;Rowan 1998;Adams 2002;Beven 2007;Sparks 2007;Rosenberg & Garfinkel 2014). These definitions typically include any item of stone which was manufactured through abrasion, polish, or pounding (impact), or a stone item used for these activities to create some other object. Such definitions rely heavily on the study of discarded finished tools (items in their 'post-production' and often 'post-use' stage) and thus the role of flaking, so central to the manufacturing of many ground stone tool types ) is commonly neglected or its importance under-valued. Moreover, while the pr...

Stone assemblages from the surroundings of Tennant Creek (Northern Territory, Australia) Part II Macrolithic and edge-ground tools

“…Since groundstone tools are an ill-defined group of archaeological artefacts, reflecting a variety of functions, the paper of Rosenberg et al (2016) deserves special attention, which dealt not only with the possible area of usage and function of these artefacts but with the perspectives of the future research.…”

The Unseen Record: Ninth–Seventh Millennia Cal. BP Wooden and Basketry Objects from Submerged Settlements off the Carmel Coast, Israel

“…BP Ohalo 2 submerged site in the Sea of Galilee [14], and several other finds were discovered at the Chalcolithic Judean Desert caves in a desiccated form (e.g., [15][16][17][18][19]). The scarcity of wooden artefacts inevitably produced a skewed prehistoric record, biased towards lithic, pottery, and, to some extent, ground stone tool assemblages (e.g., [20]).…”

“…In recent decades, the combination of human activities-mainly sand quarrying and construction of marine structures-and seasonal sea storms have removed this sand layer and exposed these submerged settlements. some extent, ground stone tool assemblages (e.g., [20]).…”

Η Τριπτή Λιθοτεχνία Από Τους Προϊστορικούς Οικισμούς Κλείτος Ι Και Κλείτος ΙΙ Της Λεκάνης Της Κιτρινής Λίμνης Κοζάνης

“…Λόγω της αντιμετώπισης των τριπτών εργαλείων ως ερμηνευτικά μονοδιάστατων, αμετάβλητων αντικειμένων, συνδεδεμένων αποκλειστικά με καθημερινές δραστηριότητες (Rosenberg et al 2016: 2) η ερευνητική προσέγγισή τους -στο πλαίσιο της ελληνικής και διεθνούς αρχαιολογικής πραγματικότηταςυπήρξε περιορισμένη, στερούμενη μεθοδολογικής συνοχής και ενιαίας ορολογίας. Πρόκειται για ένα πρόβλημα που εξακολουθεί ακόμα να υφίσταται σε μεγάλο βαθμό.…”