Use–Wear and Residue Analysis in Archeology

Abstract

The publication in 1964 of the English version of Semenov’s seminal study revealed one of the most important disciplines for functional interpretations from use–wear traces on archaeological tools. The onset of use–wear studies was marked by the development of theory, method, and techniques in order to infer prehistoric tools functionality and, therefore, understand human technological, social, and cultural behavior. During the last decades of functional studies, use –wear and residue analysis have targeted the observation, recording, and interpretation of different activities and worked materials found in archeological tools made on different types of organic and nonorganic materials. The result was the development of different methods and techniques, and protocols have been used to study those materials, fundamental for all researchers, fully trained, and students of the discipline.

This book is designed to act as a readily accessible guide to different methods and techniques of use–wear and residue analysis, and therefore includes a wide range of different and complementary essential topics: experimental tests, observation and record methods and techniques, and the interpretation of a diversity of tool types and worked raw materials. The main goal of this volume is to serve as a manual of the methodological framework of use–wear and residue analyses for all archeologists, researchers, academics, and graduate students.