Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental approaches to the development of use-wear traces on volcanic rocks: basalts

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences volume 12, Article number: 128 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

In this paper we present the experimental results obtained for the formation of use-wear traces on four types of basalt rocks from the Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) and one from the Deba River (Spain). The objective of this study is to create a reference collection that will allow the posterior analysis and identification of archeological use-wear traces on lithic industries made on these different types of basalt, such as the Acheulean lithic industry from Thiongo Korongo site (TK) (Olduvai’s Bed II, ca. 1.353 ± 0.035 Ma.). This study includes five types of basalt, under the objective of understanding in more detail the formation of the use-wear traces. Additionally, we include their individual petrographic, chemical, and traceological interpretations, allowing for an assessment of the intrinsic characteristics in relation to the development of use-wear. The final step of this process includes microscopic analysis for the detailed characterization and description of these use-wear traces. The results obtained reveal the internal structure of basalts as a significant conditioning factor in the development of use-wear traces. Despite this, we have been able to establish several criteria that discriminate between actions and different worked materials. These results offer a fundamental experimental basis for the future interpretation of use-wear traces found in archeological basalts.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Álvarez M, Fiore D, Favret E, Guerra RC (2001) The use of lithic artefacts for making rock art engravings: observation and analysis of use-wear traces in experimental tools through optical microscopy and SEM. J Archaeol Sci 28(5):457–464. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.2000.0571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo A, de la Torre I (2016) Assessing the function of pounding tools in the Early Stone Age: a microscopic approach to the analysis of percussive artefacts from Beds I and II, Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). J Archaeol Sci 74:23–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2016.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo A, de la Torre I (2018) Pounding tools in HWK EE and EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania): percussive activities in the Oldowan-Acheulean transition. J Hum Evol 120:402–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.10.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo A, Hirata S, Matsuzawa T, de la Torre I (2016) Nut cracking tools used by captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and their comparison with Early Stone Age percussive artefacts from Olduvai Gorge. PLoS One 11(11):e0166788

    Google Scholar 

  • Asryan L, Ollé A, Moloney N (2014) Reality and confusion in the recognition of post-depositional alterations and use-wear: an experimental approach on basalt tools. J :Lithic Stud 1(1):9–32. https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.v1i1.815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bello-Alonso P, Rios-Garaizar J, Panera J, Pérez-González A, Rubio-Jara S, Rojas-Mendoza R, Domínguez Rodrigo M, Baquedano E, Santonja M (2019) A use-wear interpretation of the most common raw materials from the Olduvai Gorge: Naibor Soit quartzite. Quat Int(in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2019.09.025

  • Benito-Calvo A, Arroyo A, Sánchez-Romero L, Pante M, de La Torre I (2018) Quantifying 3D micro-surface changes on experimental stones used to break bones and their implications for the analysis of Early Stone Age pounding tools. Archaeometry 60(3):419–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemente, I. & Gibaja, J.F. (2009). Formation of use-wear traces in non-flint rocks: the case of quartzite and rhyolite. Differences and similarities. In: Non-flint raw material use in prehistory. Old prejudices and new directions. UISPP - Proceedings of the World Congress (Lisbon, 4-9 September 2006), vol 11. B.A.R. International Series Vol. 1939 (Sternke, F., Eigeland, L. & Costa, L.-J., Eds.), Archaeopress, Oxford: pp. 93-98

  • Cotterell B, Kamminga J (1979) The mechanics of flaking. In: Hayden B (ed) Lithic use-wear analysis. Academic Press, New York, pp 97–112

    Google Scholar 

  • de Francisco S (2015) Estudio funvional lítico en la Early Stone Age (ESA) africana: Estado de la cuestión y prospectiva. Estudios de Cuaternario 5:73–85

    Google Scholar 

  • de Francisco S (2019) El estudio funcional lítico en la Early Stone Age africana, Aplicación analítica, metodológica y experimental en los yacimientos arqueológicos del Lecho II de la Garganta de Olduvai, Tanzania. Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid

    Google Scholar 

  • de la Torre I, Mora R (2005) Technological strategies in the lower Pleistocene at Olduvai Beds I & II. Eraul 112:1–255

    Google Scholar 

  • de la Torre I, Mora R (2014) The transition to the Acheulean in East Africa: an assessment of paradigms and evidence from Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). J Archaeol Method Theory 21(4):781–823

    Google Scholar 

  • de la Torre I, Benito-Calvo A, Arroyo A, Zupancich A, Proffitt T (2013) Experimental protocols for the study of battered stone anvils from Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). J Archaeol Sci 40(1):313–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2012.08.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deunert B (1995) A fundamental basalt flake analysis. Based on experimentally-produced and used flakes as well as the prehistoric Waikalua material, vol 614. B.A.R. Inernational Series, Tempus Reparatum, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Díez-Martín F, Yustos PS, Uribelarrea D, Baquedano E, Mark DF, Mabulla A, Fraile C, Duque J, Díaz I, Pérez-González A, Yravedra J, Egeland CP, Organista E, Domínguez-Rodrigo M (2015) The origin of the Acheulean: the 1.7 million-year-old site of FLK west, Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). Sci Rep 5:17839

    Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Serrallonga J, Juan-Trasserras J, Alcala L (2001) Woodworking activities by early humans: a plant residue analysis on Acheulian stone tools from Peninj (Tanzania). J Hum Evol 40:289–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubreuil L (2004) Long-term trends in Natufian subsistence: a use-wear analysis of ground stone tools. J Archaeol Sci 31:1613–1629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2004.04.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Estévez, J. J. I., & Urquijo, J. E. G. (1996). From tool use to site function: use-wear analysis in some Final Upper Palaeolithic sites in the Basque country. BAR

  • Fullagar R (1986) Use-Wear on quartz. In: Ward G (ed) Archaeology at ANZAAS. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra, pp 191–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Grace R (1989). Interpreting the function of stone tools: the quantification and computerisation of microwear analysis. BAR International Series 474, Archaeopress, Oxford

  • Hay R (1976) Geology of the Olduvai Gorge: a study of sedimentation in a semi-arid basin. University of California Press, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamminga, J. (1978). Journey into the microcosms: a functional analysis of certain classes of prehistoric Australian tools. Ph. D thesis, University of Sidney. Sidney

  • Kamminga, J. (1979). The nature of use-polish and abrasive smoothing on stone tools. Lithic use-wear analysis 143–157

  • Keeley LH (1980) Experimental determination of stone tool uses: a microwear analysis. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeley LH (1997). Microwear traces on a selected sample of stone artefacts from Koobi Fora. Appendix 7F. In: Isaac GL, Isaac B. (Eds.), Koobi Fora research project. Vol. 5. Plio-Pleistocene Archaeology. Clarendon Press, Oxford, pp. 396–401

  • Keeley LH, Toth N (1981) Microwear polishes on early stone tools from Koobi Fora, Kenya. Nature 293:464–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutsson K (1988a) Patters of tools use, Scanning Electron Microscopy of Experimental Quartz Tools. AUN, 10. Societas Archaeologica Upsalensis, Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutsson K (1988b) Making and using stone tools, The Analysis of the Middle Neolithic Sites with Flint in Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. AUN, 11. Societas Archaeologica Upsalensis, Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Leakey, M.D. (1971). Olduvai Gorge. Excavations in Beds I and II, 1960–1963, vol. 3, Cambridge University Press

  • Lemorini C, Plummer TW, Braun DR, Crittenden AN, Ditchfield PW, Bishop LC, Hertel F, Oliver JS, Marlowe FW, Schoeninger MJ, Potts R (2014) Old stones’ song: use-wear experiments and analysis of the Oldowan quartz and quartzite assemblage from Kanjera South (Kenia). J Hum Evol 72:10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.03.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemorini C, Bishop LC, Plummer TW, Braun DR, Ditchfield PW, Oliver JS (2019) Old stones’ song—second verse: use-wear analysis of rhyolite and fenetized andesite artifacts from the Oldowan lithic industry of Kanjera South, Kenya. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 9(11):1–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00800-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansur Franchomme, (M.E.) (1982) Microwear analysis of natural use striations: new clues to the mechanisms of striation formation. Studia Praehistorica Belgica 2:213–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansur Franchomme, M. E (1983). Traces d'utilisation et technologie lithique: exemple de la Patagonie (Doctoral dissertation)

  • Marlowe FW, Berbesque JC (2009) Tubers as fallback foods and their impact on Hadza hunter-gatherers. Am J Phys Anthropol 140:751–758

    Google Scholar 

  • Márquez B, Baquedano E, Pérez-González A, Arsuaga JL (2016) Microwear analysis of Mousterian quartz tools from the Navalmaíllo Rock Shelter (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain). Quat Int 424:84–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.08.052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHenry LJ, de la Torre I (2018) Hominin raw material procurement in the Oldowan-Acheulean transition at Olduvai Gorge. J Hum Evol 120:378–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, P. (1978). Stone artifacts from the Punchaw Lake site (area C): a late prehistoric occupation in Central British Columbia. M.A. thesis, Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

  • Odell GH (1975) Micro-wear in perspective: a sympathetic response to Lawrence H Keeley. World Archaeol 8(2):226–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Odell GH (1980) Butchering with stone tools: some experimental results. Lithic Technol 9:39–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Odell GH (1981) The mechanics of use-breakage of stone tools: some testable hypotheses. J Field Archaeol 8(2):197–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Odell GH, Odell-Vereecken F (1980) Verifying the reliability of lithic use-wear assessments by ‘blind tests’: the low-power approach. J Field Archaeol 7(1):87–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Panera J, Rubio-Jara S, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Yravedra J, Méndez-Quintas E, Pérez-González A, Bello-Alonso P, Moclán A, Baquedano E, Santonja M, (2019) Assessing functionality during the early Acheulean in level TKSF at Thiongo Korongo site (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). Quat Int 526:77-98

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedergnana A, Ollé A (2017) Monitoring and interpreting the use-wear formation process on quartzite flakes through sequential experiments. Quat Int 427:35–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.01.053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedergnana A, García-Antón MD, Ollé A (2017) Structural study of two quartzite varieties from the Utrillas facies formation (Olmos de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain): from a petrographic characterisation to a functional analysis design. Quat Int 433:163–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.02.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plisson, H. (1982). Une analyse fonctionnelle des outillages basaltiques. In: Tailler! Pour quoi faire. Recent Progress in Microwear Studies (Cahen, D., Ed.), Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren: p. 241-244. (in French) ("A functional analysis of basalt tools")

  • Plisson H (1985) Etude fonctionnelle d'outillages lithiques préhistoriques par l'analyse des micro-usures: recherche méthodologique et archéologique. Université de Paris I

  • Pontzer H, Raichlen DA, Wood BM, Mabulla AZ, Racette SB, Marlowe FW (2012) Hunter-gatherer energetics and human obesity. PLoS One 7(7):e40503

    Google Scholar 

  • Price-Beggerly P (1976) Edge damage on experimentally used scra pers of Hawaiian basalt. Lithic Technol 5(3):22–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards TH (1988) Microwear patterns on experimental basalt tools, B.A.R. International Series Vol. S460. British Archaeological Reports, Oxford, 283 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez Rodríguez AC (1998). Primeras experiencias de análisis funcional en los instrumentos de basalto tallado de Canarias. El ejemplo del material prehistórico de la isla de La Palma. Vegueta, 3: 29-46. (in Spanish) ("First experiences of functional analysis of basalt knapped artefacts in Canarias. The example of prehistoric material of La Palma island")

  • Rubio-Jara S, Panera J, Santonja M, Pérez-González A, Yravedra J, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Bello P, Rojas R, Mabulla A, Baquedano E (2017) Site function and lithic technology in the Acheulean technocomplex: a case study from Thiongo Korongo (TK), Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Boreas 46(4):894–917. https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santonja M, Panera J, Rubio-Jara S, Pérez-González A, Uribelarrea D, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Mabulla AZP, Bunn HT, Baquedano E (2014) Technological strategies and the economy of raw materials in the TK (Thiongo Korongo) lower occupation, Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Quat Int 322:181–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.10.069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santonja M, Rubio-Jara S, Panera J, Pérez-González A, Rojas-Mendoza R, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Mabulla AZP, Baquedano E (2018) Bifacial shaping at the TK Acheulean site (Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania): new excavations 50 years after Mary Leakey. In: In The emergence of the Acheulean in East Africa and beyond. Springer, Cham, pp 153–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75985-2_8

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schnorr SL, Crittenden AN, Venema K, Marlowe FW, Henry AG (2015) Assessing digestibility of Hadza tubers using a dynamic in-vitro model. Am J Phys Anthropol 158(3):371–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutt, J.A. (1982). A comparative analysis of wear patterns on experimental lithic flake tools: the re-examination of current concepts in tool utilization. M.A. thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico

  • Stanfford BD (1977) Burin manufacture and utilization: an experimental study. J Field Archaeol 4:235–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Stemp WJ, Morozov M, Key AJ (2015) Quantifying lithic microwear with load variation on experimental basalt flakes using LSCM and area-scale fractal complexity (Asfc). Surf Topogr: Metrology and Properties 3(3):034006

    Google Scholar 

  • Sussman C (1987) Résultats d'une étude des microtraces d'usure sur un échantillon d'artefacts d'Olduvai (Tanzanie). L'Anthropologie 91(2):375–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Sussman C (1988) A microscopic analysis of use-wear polish formation on experimental quartz tools. In: British Archaeological Reports International Series, 395th edn. Archaeopress, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Tringham R, Cooper G, Odell GH, Voytek B, Whitman A (1974) Experimentation in the formation of edge damage: a new approach to lithic analysis. J Archaeol Sci 1:171–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungar PS, Grine FE, Teaford MF (2006) Diet in early Homo: a review of the evidence and a new model of adaptive versatility. Annu Rev Anthropol 35:209–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan P (1981) Microwear analysis of experimental flint and obsidian tools. Staringia 6(1):90-91

  • Yravedra J, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Santonja M, Rubio-Jara S, Panera J, Pérez-González A, Uribelarrea D, Egeland C, Mabulla AZP, Baquedano E (2016) The larger mammal palimpsest from TK (Thiongo Korongo), Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Quat Int 417:3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Yravedra J, Diez-Martín F, Egeland CP, Maté-González MÁ, Palomeque-González JF, Arriaza MC, Aramendi J, García Vargas E, Estaca-Gómez V, Sánchez P, Fraile C, Duque J, de Francisco Rodríguez S, González-Aguilera D, Uribelarrea D, Mabulla A, Baquedano E, Domínguez-Rodrigo M (2017) FLK West (Lower Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania): a new early Acheulean site with evidence for human exploitation of fauna. Boreas 46(4):816–830

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We want to thank C. Saínz, A. Álvaro Gallo, and I. Sarró from Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Huamana for their help and the facilities provided to carry out the petrographic study. We wish to express our gratitude to A. San Emeterio, CENIEH Prehistoric Technology and Archaeology Laboratory technique, for the help given in the photographic section and processed from it. At the same time, we thank Lloyd Courtenay for his help with English translation and also to the reviewers for their positive contributions to this work. We also want to take advantage this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Tanzanian assistants, especially Lobelo, Enguiliya, and Lovico, who have always helped us in the butchering activities. Our work was carried out in the framework of The Olduvai Paleoanthropological and Paleoecological Project (TOPPP).

Funding

The Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology provided funding for this research (Projects HAR2013-45246-C3-2-P and HAR2017-82463-C4-2-P).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones sobre la Evolución Humana, Paseo Sierra de Atapuerca no. 3, 09002, Burgos, Spain

    Patricia Bello-Alonso, Joseba Rios-Garaizar, Joaquín Panera, Susana Rubio-Jara & Manuel Santonja

  2. Instituto de Evolución en África, Covarrubias 36, 28010, Madrid, Spain

    Patricia Bello-Alonso, Joaquín Panera, David Manuel Martín-Perea, Susana Rubio-Jara, Alfredo Pérez-González, Raquel Rojas-Mendoza, Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Enrique Baquedano & Manuel Santonja

  3. Palaeobiology Department, National Natural Sciences Museum – CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    David Manuel Martín-Perea

  4. Geodynamics, Stratigraphy and Palaeontology Department, School of Geological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais 12, 29040, Madrid, Spain

    David Manuel Martín-Perea

  5. Asociación Nacional El Hombre y el Medio, 28982, Madrid, Spain

    Alfredo Pérez-González, Raquel Rojas-Mendoza & Manuel Santonja

  6. Departamento de Historia y Filosofía, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo

  7. Museo Arqueológico Regional, Plaza de las Bernardas s/n, 28801, Alcala de Henares, Spain

    Enrique Baquedano

Authors
  1. Patricia Bello-Alonso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joseba Rios-Garaizar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joaquín Panera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Manuel Martín-Perea
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susana Rubio-Jara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Alfredo Pérez-González
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Raquel Rojas-Mendoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Enrique Baquedano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Manuel Santonja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patricia Bello-Alonso.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(PDF 1892 kb)

ESM 2

(PDF 197 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bello-Alonso, P., Rios-Garaizar, J., Panera, J. et al. Experimental approaches to the development of use-wear traces on volcanic rocks: basalts. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 128 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01058-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01058-6

Keywords

search

Navigation