Learning from blind tests: Determining the function of experimental grinding stones through use-wear and residue analysis

Hayes, Elspeth; Cnuts, Dries; Lepers, Christian; Rots, Veerle

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.12.001

Cited by 24 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…on the tool surfaces was only described qualitatively (localization and distribution manner) with the naked eye. Starch have been extracted and analyzed following criteria known and widely accepted by modern and ancient starch analysts (Atchison and Fullagar 1998; Barton and Torrence 2015;Field et al 2009;Fullagar et al 2008;Haslam 2006;Henry et al 2009;Loy et al 1992;Mercader et al 2018; Torrence and Barton 2016; Yang and Perry 2013). We stress that the origin of the starch granules was known to us, and the scope of this work is to assess where larger masses of starch granules gather on the stone surface and assess where they appear more damaged.…”

Section: Starch Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The software was used to investigate modification in the surface topography through the creation of digital surface models (DSMs) (Benito-Calvo et al 2015). As demonstrated by Benito-Calvo et al (2015, 2017, slope and surface roughness analysis provides useful insights concerning the pattern of modification of stone tool surfaces. For the purpose of our study, these were generated using the GDALdem (http://www.gdal.…”

Section: Spatial Analysis Of the Surfacementioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of groundstones used in wild plants processing

Zupancich

Mutri

Caricola

et al. 2019

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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In recent years, several works have proved the reliability of the application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of stone tool use. Monitoring surface morphometry resulting from the use of lithic tools has the potential to objectively quantify and identify patterns of modifications associated to specific activities and worked materials. In particular, the combination of surface morphometry with a systematic experimental framework and use wear analysis has the potential of foreseeing residue distribution areas over the groundstone surfaces, hence providing a key aid in establishing sampling strategies applied to archeological specimens. Here, we propose an approach that applies 3D modeling, performed through a close-range photogrammetry, and the use of GIS software to investigate surface modifications and residue distribution on groundstones used to process wild plants. Our work comprises a dedicated experimental framework in which modern tool replicas have been used to process different species of wild plant foods through grinding, crushing, and pounding. By applying 3D modeling and spatial analysis, we were able to characterize patterns of surface modifications related to each of the worked substances and activities performed. Moreover, we monitored the distribution of starch granules over the experimental groundstone surfaces and its variation in relation to the state of the worked substance and the action carried out. Our results provide one of the first experimental dataset focused on the use of groundstones for wild plant processing, and a reliable methodology for further studies related to the exploitation of stone technology and wild vegetal substances in the past.

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Section: Starch Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spatial Analysis Of the Surfacementioning

confidence: 99%

The application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of groundstones used in wild plants processing

Zupancich

Mutri

Caricola

et al. 2019

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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“…Another factor leading to the choice of PSR staining is its potential to mark collagenous material in ancient residual matter characterized by altered morphological features due to intense processing (Stephenson 2015). Moreover, in our own experience, PSR has a lower chance of false positive than other biochemical staining such as Orange G, which is also used for analysing archaeological residues (Hayes et al 2017).…”

Section: Residues Spatial Distribution Analysismentioning

confidence: 96%

“…A large variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques, including use wear analysis, mechanical tests, 3D modelling, surface morphometrics, spatial and residue analyses and experimental frameworks have been proposed (Arroyo and de la Torre 2020;Benito-Calvo et al 2015Caricola et al 2018;Caruana et al 2014;Delgado-Raack et al 2009;Hayes et al 2017;Hayes and Rots 2019;Procopiou et al 2002;Zupancich et al 2019). However, scholars have debated the lack of a shared analytical protocol for functional analysis (Cnuts and Rots 2018;Hayes et al 2017;Marreiros et al 2020;Zupancich et al 2019). In particular, arguments have been raised concerning the application of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the protocols for extracting ancient residues and the risk of modern contamination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sandstone Ground Stone Technology: a Multi-level Use Wear and Residue Approach to Investigate the Function of Pounding and Grinding Tools

Cristiani

Zupancich

2020

J Archaeol Method Theory

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Ground stone tool (GST) technology includes artefacts utilized in pounding or grinding activities and characterized by long life cycles and multiple uses. The introduction of such technology dates back to early prehistory, and for this reason, it is used as prime evidence for tackling a wide range of archaeological questions such as the origins of technology, patterns of daily subsistence and lifeways. In this paper, we contribute to the field of study of GSTs by discussing the application of a novel multi-level analytical approach combining use wear and residue observations at low and high magnification with residue spatial distribution investigated using GIS. We aim to assess the potential of a combined use wear and residue approach to (1) discriminate specific gestures and worked materials on sandstone GSTs and (2) understand the potential of residue distributions for reconstructing ancient GST functions and, more specifically, the role of GSTs recovered at Mesolithic sites of the Danube Gorges region in the Central Balkans. We identified diagnostic surface modifications associated with the use of GSTs in different activities involving both animal and plant materials. Morphological characteristics of residues have been described under reflected and transmitted light and characterized using biochemical staining. Finally, we mapped residues across the utilized surfaces of experimental tools to link patterns of residue spatial distribution to specific materials and gestures. We expect our methodological approach will be taken up by other researchers in order to produce comparable datasets on GSTs and improve our understanding of their ancient functional biographies.

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“…Blind testing is a highly important method in archaeology, especially when dealing with techniques which might be affected by human biases and subjectivity, allowing the identification of weaknesses within the examined technique (Evans, ). Rots, Pirnay, Pirson, and Baudoux () define blind tests as “an objective means to evaluate the accuracy of information retrieved by a specific method.” Indeed, blind tests are commonly used in microwear and macrowear studies (Bamforth, ; Bamforth, Burns, & Woodman, ; Newcomer, Grace, & Unger‐Hamilton, ; Rots et al, ), residue analysis (Hayes, Cnuts, Lepers, & Rots, ; Lombard & Wadley, ; Rots, Hayes, Cnuts, Lepers, & Fullagar, ; Wadley & Lombard, ; Wadley, Lombard, & Williamson, ), archaeozoological studies (Blumenschine, Marean, & Capaldo, ; Giovas, Lambrides, Fitzpatrick, & Kataoka, ; Gobalet, ; Lloveras, Moreno‐García, Nadal, & Thomas, ; Morin, Ready, Boileau, Beauval, & Coumont, ), micromorphology (Shahack‐Gross, ), and radiocarbon dating (Kim et al, ; Olsen et al, ). However, so far, no such tests have been applied to macroscopic raw material sorting (but see Ferguson & Warren, ; Price, Carr, & Bradbury, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blind test evaluation of consistency in macroscopic lithic raw material sorting

Agam

Wilson

2018

Geoarchaeology

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Most archaeological lithic raw material studies depend upon a macroscopic classification. However, since the human eye is a limited tool, some inconsistencies in classification may arise. Thus, a process for evaluating and increasing the reliability of macroscopic classification is needed. We present the results of a blind test designed to evaluate consistency in macroscopic lithic materials analysis, based on archaeological material taken from the Acheulo‐Yabrudian site Qesem Cave (Israel), focusing on interobserver error, aimed at identifying consistencies and weaknesses within our own study scheme. Twelve students, with various degrees of experience and familiarity with the Qesem material, sorted 100 randomly selected flint pieces into flint types, based on a previously established database, after a brief tutorial process. In addition, the authors, LW and AA, performed the same test. We then compared the results, using LW's results as an anchor. Our results show that experience affects the consistency in classification, demonstrating that it is an acquired skill. Furthermore, the blind test allowed us to identify weaknesses within the classification scheme. We suggest that blind tests should be regularly used to check accuracy and reproducibility of results and to assess the definitions set by the analyst, allowing fine‐tuning and calibration of the classification process.

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Learning from blind tests: Determining the function of experimental grinding stones through use-wear and residue analysis

Cited by 24 publications

References 39 publications

The application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of groundstones used in wild plants processing

The application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of groundstones used in wild plants processing

Sandstone Ground Stone Technology: a Multi-level Use Wear and Residue Approach to Investigate the Function of Pounding and Grinding Tools

Blind test evaluation of consistency in macroscopic lithic raw material sorting

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