The function of Early Natufian grooved basalt artefacts from el-Wad Terrace, Mount Carmel, Israel: Preliminary results of a use-wear analysis

Abstract

Abstract:Grooved items are usually regarded as tools used for modifying other implements made of bone, stone, plants or wood, whether referred to as shaft straighteners, smoothers, polishers or sharpening tools. They were also attributed to various symbolic meanings in Neolithic and Chalcolithic sites in the southern Levant and they were also associated with bead manufacturing process in the Neolithic. Grooved basalts found on Early Natufian (ca. 14,000 BP) living floors at el-Wad Terrace, Mount Carmel, Israel, were the subject of microscopic use-wear analysis. Here we present the preliminary results of the research, introducing our functional reconstruction based on experiments. The most outstanding result is that traces on the perimeters, attributed to shaping of the artefact, are different from the traces inside the groove which are related to the use of the artefact. We conclude that the groove is a part of the instrument, shaped before its use in order to work the abraded materials. Traces indicate that the shaping of the perimeters was done by abrasion against a very hard rock, probably using water to enhance the smoothing of the stone. Traces inside the groove indicate, as was previously assumed for these artefacts, that the groove was used as a shaft straightener. However, traces also indicate that the groove was used to abrade different types of materials which might not be related to the preparation of shafts including reeds, wood, and especially minerals such as ochre. Our preliminary results indicate the multi-functional nature of these items shedding light on their production, use and discard history.

The function of the south-Levantine Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age basalt vessels bearing circumferential depressions: Insights from use-wear analyses

“…The final stage of analysis compared the wear patterns on the experimental pieces with the archaeological vessels. The results of microscopic observations were also cross-referenced with past experiments targeting use-wear on basalt tools [e.g., 88 , 101 – 104 , 108 – 110 , 115 ].…”

“…Use-wear analysis on basalt artifacts has advanced significantly during the last two decades, developing a standardized analytical procedure, terminology [e.g., [101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108], and wear reference collection [e.g., 88,[109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117]. These studies, which tend to focus on grinding implements, abraders, and grooved items [however see 118], yielded important results regarding the process of use-wear formation on basalt.…”

Cult, herding, and ‘pilgrimage’ in the Late Neolithic of north-west Arabia: Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla

“…Both surfaces demonstrate evidence of abrasion; with this artefact finding good parallels in the Natufian and Neolithic horizons of the Levant, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus [44][45][46][47][48][49]. Examples from the Levant have been interpreted as multi-functional tools, as well as shaft straighteners for arrows [49][50][51]. A sandstone bifacial polishing stone was also identified in Phase 1.…”

Prehistoric exploitation of minerals resources. Experimentation and use-wear analysis of grooved stone tools from Grotta della Monaca (Calabria, Italy)

“…In recent years, few methodological studies dedicated to understanding the dynamics of mineral exploitation during prehistory are known. Technological and functional analysis conducted on macro-lithic tools such as ground stone tools, percussion tools (e.g., hammers, picks, and hammer-axes), anvils, crushing tools, and abraders found near and/or in mines has contributed to the identification and understanding of mining activities (Breglia et al 2016;Caricola and Lemorini 2017;Delgado-Raack et al 2014;Hamon 2016;Hamon 2008;Delgado-Raack and Gómez-Gras 2017;Groman-Yaroslavski et al 2016;Rafel et al 2016).…”