Traces referential on raw material from Foz do Chapecó (Brazil)
Lou Igier, Lilla Tamara Jakab, Vikram SHRESTHA
Disclaimer
This protocol and experiments were conducted in the frame of the International Experimental Archeology 2024 course in Miskolc dispensed and supported by the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Eötvös Loránd University, Herman Ottó Múzeum, Miskolc Egyetem, Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Alliance Sorbonne Université.
We also give special acknowledgments to the professors and tutors that helped us conduct this project : Antony Borel, Julia Cabanès, David Pleurdeau, Gema Chacón, Delphine Vettese, Zsolt Mester and Peter Szolyák. This experiment could have not been conducted without the help of Nassim Zejly who produced the flakes. Finally, we also thank Antoine Lourdeau for providing with the raw materials from Foz do Chapecó.
Abstract
Quite a few lithic use-wear referentials on raw materials from Brazil exist. To further develop use-wear analysis in the country and especially in the region of Foz do Chapecó, new referentials must be created to better understand trace formation on these specific raw materials.
This protocol aims to use pieces in a sequential experiment to observe the initial development of wear traces. Given the short duration of the experiment, we do not expect to fully characterize the worked materials. Instead, our goal is to have a better understanding of the use-wear aspect on these raw materials, enabling us to identify relevant traces on archaeological artifacts.
Before start
Numerous flakes were produced on a volcano-sedimentary material from Foz do Chapecó. We then selected four pieces that looked appropriate for the experiment in term of size, prehension and edge sharpness.
Steps
Documentation of the experimental flakes before use
Macroscopic and microscopic observation and documentation of the state of the flakes before use with naked eye, with a camera
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| iPhone XR | NAME |
| Phone camera | TYPE |
| Apple | BRAND |
| 1 | SKU |
| apple.com | LINK |
and a Dino-lite microscope.
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| Dino-Lite edge AM45152ZTL | NAME |
| Digital Microscop | TYPE |
| Dino-Lite | BRAND |
| 3 | SKU |
| https://www.dinolite.us/ | LINK |
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| Dino-Lite AM7915MZTL | NAME |
| Digital microscop | TYPE |
| Dino-Lite | BRAND |
| 4 | SKU |
| https://www.dinolite.us/ | LINK |
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| Dino-liteAM7515MT4A | NAME |
| Digital microscop | TYPE |
| Dino-lite | BRAND |
| 5 | SKU |
| https://www.dinolite.us/ | LINK |
Casting of the used experimental raw flakes after washing to keep record of the raw surface.
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| Provil Novo silicone | NAME |
| Cartridge refill, light set | TYPE |
| Heraeus | BRAND |
| 2 | SKU |
| https://www.cecsmo.com/ | LINK |
Sequential experiment : first session of use of the experimental flakes
Session of scraping with two flakes on soaked reed and with two other flakes on fresh bone for 5,000 strokes each (document the time, the motion, the experimenter).
Documentation of the experimental flakes after use and before washing
Macroscopic and microscopic observation and documentation of the used experimental raw flakes before washing with naked eye, a camera and a Dino-lite microscope.
Washing of the used experimental flakes
Wash for 20 minutes in an ultrasound tank
Equipment
| Value | Label |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic cleaner USC100T | NAME |
| Ultrasonic tank | TYPE |
| VWR | BRAND |
| 6 | SKU |
in a neutral soap solution diluted in distilled water (2%) to remove the residues.
Documentation of the used experimental flakes after washing
Macroscopic and microscopic observation and documentation of the used experimental raw flakes after washing with naked eye, a camera and a Dino-lite microscope.
Casting of the used experimental raw flakes after washing to keep record of the state development of the traces.
Sequential experiment : second session of use of the experimental flake
Session of scraping with one flake on soaked reed for 5000 strokes each (document the time, the motion, the experimenter).
Documentation of the experimental flake after use and before washing
Macroscopic and microscopic observation and documentation of the used experimental raw flakes with naked eye, with a camera and a Dino-lite microscope.
Washing of the used experimental raw flakes
Wash for 20 minutes in an ultrasound tank in a neutral soap solution diluted in distilled water (2%) to remove the residues.
Documentation of the experimental flakes after washing
Macroscopic and microscopic observation and documentation of the used experimental raw flakes after washing with naked eye, a camera and a Dino-lite microscope.
