The function of prehistoric lithic tools: a combined study of use-wear analysis and FTIR microspectroscopy.

Stella Nunziante Cesaro, Cristina Lemorini

Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (ISMN-CNR) c/o Chemistry Department, University of Rome Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. stelluccia.nunziante@ismn.cnr.it

Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy 2012 Feb

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The application of combined use-wear analysis and FTIR micro spectroscopy for the investigation of the flint and obsidian tools from the archaeological sites of Masseria Candelaro (Foggia, Italy) and Sant'Anna di Oria (Brindisi, Italy) aiming to clarify their functional use is described. The tools excavated in the former site showed in a very high percentage spectroscopically detectable residues on their working edges. The identification of micro deposits is based on comparison with a great number of replicas studied in the same experimental conditions. FTIR data confirmed in almost all cases the use-wear analysis suggestions and added details about the material processed and about the working procedures. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation

Stella Nunziante Cesaro, Cristina Lemorini. The function of prehistoric lithic tools: a combined study of use-wear analysis and FTIR microspectroscopy. Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy. 2012 Feb;86:299-304