Traceology on Metal. Use-Wear Marks on Copper-Based Tools and Weapons

Anatomy of a notch. An in-depth experimental investigation and interpretation of combat traces on Bronze Age swords

“…No wrist-strain or any other kind of joint pain was reported by the fighters during the experiments, even when testing defending movements with the flat of the weapon (which requires substantial torsion of The tests produced an array of different features, and various formation micro-dynamics have been observed. Unfortunately, at the current stage of use-wear studies on copper-alloy objects, there is no well-established and unambiguous terminology to indicate the various traces recognized (Dolfini and Crellin, 2016;Gutiérrez Sáez and Martín Lerma, 2015). Furthermore, some characteristics of the experimental traces do not fit previously formulated categorizations.…”

“…Furthermore, some characteristics of the experimental traces do not fit previously formulated categorizations. Therefore, the features obtained will be presented below using a terminology largely based on the descriptions proposed in previous works (Anderson, 2011;Bridgford, 2000;Gutiérrez Sáez and Martín Lerma, 2015;Horn, 2013;Molloy, 2011;O'Flaherty et al, 2011;Soriano-Llopis and Gutiérrez-Sáez, 2009) but with few adaptations and additions.…”

“…the Prähistorische Bronzefunde series) and thoughts on their use were for a long time constructed on theoretical considerations built upon their morphology (Gutiérrez Sáez and Martín Lerma, 2015, 171;Roberts and Ottaway, 2003, 119). As a result, the study of use-wear on copper-alloy tools and weapons has only recently started and experimental programs are scant (Gutiérrez Sáez and Martín Lerma, 2015;Dolfini and Crellin, 2016;Horn and von Holstein, 2017, 98). The aim of this paper is https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2019.02.004 contributing to the understanding of weapon use by presenting a systematic and replicable methodological framework for experimental combat with bronze swords, and an in-depth discussion of the traces produced.…”

Recovering prehistoric woodworking skills using spatial analysis techniques

“…Only non-specific interpretation can be conducted by metal traceology such as the identification of the most used zones of a cutting edge. However, the level of usage can represent the social or even the ideological role of the artefacts as several prehistoric axes and adzes with very specific morphological characteristics have been discovered for example in funerary contexts (Sáez et al, 2015). In another research interest, the woodworking efficiency of different materials, for instance experimental archaeologists compare stone and metal axes.…”

Bronze Age Swordsmanship: New Insights from Experiments and Wear Analysis

“…To some extent, the shortcomings of both laboratory and field tests can be tempered by investigating the combat marks visible on prehistoric swords through metalwork wear analysis (MWA). This analytical method centres upon the microscopic observation of the manufacturing and use marks visible on ancient copperalloy artefacts (Dolfini and Crellin 2016;Gutiérrez Sáez and Martín Lerma, 2015). Despite its limited time depth, MWA has had a significant impact on Bronze Age weapon studies.…”