Sickle blade life-history and the transition to agriculture: an early Neolithic case study from Southwest Asia

In Southwest Asia, sickle blades first appear early in the sequence of the transition to agriculture. In the past, detailed qualitative research on silica bearing blade stone tools focus on the characterization of use-wear traces such as polish types and accrual rates. In this paper we approach the study of sickle blades slightly different, choosing to examine tool life-history by developing a method to quantitatively estimate harvesting intensity. The method centers on an experiment of cutting cereal stalks and measuring stone blade edge thickness under a scanning electron microscope as a proxy for cutting time. We end with regressing the experimental results to provide an estimation of how intensively archaeological sickle blades recovered from the site of Dhra’, Jordan were used for harvesting. The results, while preliminary, enable an initial interpretation of sickle blades as important tools with long use-life histories during the early Neolithic in the Southern Levant.     

Tracing sickle blade levels of wear and discard patterns: a new sickle gloss quantification method

Although sickle blades gloss is known to form during the harvest, which is a dynamic process and although it is known to be a type of wear which is the outcome of the repetitive encounters between the sickle blades working edges and plant stems; there is no common way to quantify its intensity. Since there is no consensus over a specific scale that will enable the estimation of the amount of wear, based on the quantification of gloss brightness intensity. In this paper we propose a new measurement system which is based on the projection of laser (He–Ne) beam on glossed sickle blades and an analysis of the reflected images. The results form a relative scale from which it is possible to infer on the sickle blades level of wear, and to create discard models.     

Insights from a tribological analysis of the tribulum

Since the 1980s, “strange” microwear traces were found to occur on flint blades from sites in the Near East from the late Neolithic and occurring in great abundance by the Early Bronze Age. Although these were considered by archaeologists to be sickles because they had visible gloss on their edges, their use-traces could not be reproduced in harvesting experiments carried out in the field. Subsequently, several lines of evidence were used to study the blades, including not only direct observation of microscopic wear traces, but also Near Eastern cuneiform texts from the third and second millennium BC describing agricultural instruments and analogy with ethnographic and experimental reference material. We found that these tools and their traces best matched traces on flint used to arm the underside of a tribulum (threshing sledge) for threshing grain and cutting straw. We built a replica of the tribulum described in cuneiform texts from the Bronze Age, using copies of the Bronze Age blades, and used this instrument in experiments.     

Reaping bare fields: a response to Stemp et al

In 2010 we have described in JAS a novel method for quantifying sickle gloss. Independently, Goodale et al. (2010) published another method for quantifying gloss based on a different method. Recently, the methods of both teams have been criticized by Stemp et al. We argue below that the critique is lacking and that the method we devised, laser He–Ne measurement, is a way to quantify sickle blade gloss that enables an objective estimate of the intensity of sickles use. The system is not expensive and is time efficient.     

The elemental chemistry of lithic microwear: an experiment

This paper examines the ability of elemental analysis to distinguish microwear traces on stone tools. Our research hypothesised that cleaning procedures of experimental specimens may have heavily influenced previous studies in this area. Experimental flakes are used and cleaned by two alternative methods before laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is applied to study use-wear chemistry. The results show that elementally recognisable traces remain on stone surfaces even with severe cleaning. Also studied were archaeological sickle blades from two sites in Northern England. The results were counter-intuitive demonstrating that experimentally validated models potentially require extensive modification and clarification before being applied to archaeological material. This research identifies methodological problems and errors concerning cleaning within previous experimental studies and highlights new directions for this quantitative analytic approach in microwear analysis.     

Reaping ‘rewards’ in sickle use-wear analysis

Recently in their research Goodale et al. (2010) as well as that of Vardi et al. (2010) independently tackled issues of effectively measuring attrition/gloss rates on sickle blade tools from Southwest Asia. Interestingly, while applying new methodology to analyzing sickle tools from different cultural and temporal contexts, these two papers arrived at a similar conclusion: sickle tools were likely very expensive to make, and thus, considerations were made during their production to ensure long use-lives to benefit the people who made and used them in prehistory. Stemp et al. (in this issue) provide a methodological critique of both studies. In addressing their critique we make several points. First it is important to note that Stemp et al. provide no new experimental analysis to justify their assertions, and their critique is ultimately, at best, guesswork. Second, the minimal reanalysis of the data Stemp et al. do conduct arguably lead to the same preliminary conclusion at which we originally arrived: the prehistoric sickle blades we examined were used longer than those we replicated. As stated in our original paper, lithic use-wear studies often do not address issue of reliable and reproducible methods. We believe that our original study helps fill this missing component, and that measuring edge thickness is much less subjective than conventional features on stone tools traditionally identified microscopically. From our perspective, Stemp et al. present largely unsupported critical commentary, lacking substantial reanalysis or experiments to complement or justify their commentary. In the end Stemp et al. provide little more than interesting ideas and conjecture.     

A pottery workshop with flint tools on blades knapped with copper at Nausharo (Indus civilisation, ca. 2500 BC)

Twenty years after its discovery, the pottery workshop of Nausharo (province of Baluchistan, Pakistan), which yielded a series of knapped stone tools in association with unbaked sherds and clay waste, is still of unique importance in Asian protohistorical studies. The types of pottery production (sandy marl fabrics) identified in this workshop, which is dated to ca. 2500 BC, correspond to the majority of the domestic pottery discovered at the site during the first two phases of the Indus Civilisation. The flint blades discovered in the workshop were made from exotic flint, coming from zones close to the great Indus sites such as Mohenjo-Daro and Chanhu-Daro. This is also the origin of a small amount of the pottery (micaceous fabrics) found at Nausharo in domestic contexts, e.g. Black-Slipped-Jars. The butts of the blades display features characteristic of pressure detachment with a copper pressure point. Gloss and microwear traces (polish) testify to the blades' having been used for finishing the clay vessels: for actual finishing (trimming) while they were being turned on a wheel, and possibly also for scraping by hand. Both of these operations are distinctly attested to by the presence in the workshop of two different types of clay shavings.     

AN INTERIM REPORT OF THE STAR CARR MICROWEAR STUDY

Summary. This paper presents some preliminary observations based on the microwear analysis of 173 artefacts from the mesolithic site of Star Carr, near Scarborough, Yorkshire. One hundred discrete and utilized edges were identified by the presence of various microwear traces on 79 of the artefacts belonging to the following general types: scrapers, edge-damaged or marginally retouched blades and flakes, bilaterally backed blades (awls), burins, backed blades, axe resharpening flakes, denticulated or truncated blades and flakes, microliths, and cores. The microwear traces identified on the tools indicates that they were used in a variety of ways in the processing of hide, bone, wood, antler and meat. A comparison of wear-traces and tool shape has shown that there are morphological differences between scrapers used on hide and those used on bone, and also, that edge-damaged or marginally retouched blades were selected for use on the basis of their cross-sectional configuration.     

Reaping the rewards: the potential of well designed methodology,a comment on Vardi et al. (Journal of Archaeological Science 37 (2010) 1716–1724) and Goodale et al. (Journal of Archaeological Science 37 (2010) 1192–1201)

The recent articles by Vardi et al., “Tracing sickle blade levels of wear and discard patterns: a new sickle gloss quantification method” (Journal of Archaeological Science 37 (2010) 1716–1724), and Goodale et al., “Sickle blade life-history and the transition to agriculture: an early Neolithic case study from Southwest Asia” (Journal of Archaeological Science 37 (2010) 1192–1201), are two papers that seek to address interesting archaeological questions through the development of new approaches to measuring the duration of stone tool use. Here comment is made on the fashion in which research design and analytic procedures contribute to limit the capabilities of each of the techniques presented. Whilst the authors support the investigation of novel techniques, in order for the results of any use-wear analysis to be accepted as reliable the methods employed must be demonstrably sound.     

The Study of Attic Black Gloss Sherds using Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

We have studied the mineral composition of the gloss and the ceramic body of three pieces of Attic Greek pottery by applying the technique of high-resolution powder diffraction using synchroton X-rays. The measurements were performed on Stations 2·3 and 9·1 at the Synchrotron Radiation Source, Daresbury Laboratory. High quality powder patterns from the bulk of the ceramics and from the gloss surfaces have been obtained. The diffraction results show interesting variations of mineral composition between the gloss of the different sherds as well as variations between the bulk and the gloss. This makes phase identification and comparison between different fabrics less ambiguous. Spinel minerals are present in the gloss which are absent in the main body of the ceramics. Diffraction lines from one surface match the patterns of hematite, magnetite/maghemite and hercynite, while solid solutions of spinel structures appear to be present in the gloss layer of another sample. Crystallite particle sizes and lattice parameters of the minerals in the gloss layer have been accurately determined. Supplementary scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the gloss thickness to be approximately 20 μm but with variations down to 5 μm. Analysis of the diffraction profile for the hematite component reveals a particle size in the order of 0·027 μm.     

南方潮湿地区壁画表面加固与裂隙灌浆材料的评价研究

为弥补我国南方潮湿地区壁画保护材料研究的欠缺,模拟南方气候条件对壁画表面加固和裂隙灌浆材料进行保护效果的评价研究。通过前期预实验以及表面光泽度、防水性、耐老化性等测试评价得到:质量分数1.5%的RS1930纯丙乳液具有较好的表面加固效果;传统石灰中添加占石灰质量3.0%左右的ZB-SE-3A纯丙乳液和2.0%左右的纳米材料配制而成的灌浆材料具有较好的强度、防霉性、防水性与耐老化性,适合作为潮湿地区壁画灌浆加固材料。     

The formation of use-wear polish on flint: beyond the “deposit versus abrasion” controversy

Use-wear polish on flint has previously been attributed to deposition or attrition. Scanning electron microscope observations indicate that some “deposits” are components of the original flint, while other “deposits” result from contact with different materials. The polish seems to be the result of both attrition and a thin layer of amorphous silica.     

LIME PLASTER AS AN ADHESIVE FOR HAFTING EIGHTEENTH-DYNASTY FLINT SICKLES FROM TELL EL DAB'A,EASTERN NILE DELTA (EGYPT)*

A combination of analytical techniques, including thin-section observations, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis, was applied to study the nature and origin of an adhesive used for mounting flint sickle blades to a wooden handle, recovered from early Eighteenth Dynasty culture layers of the multi-layer settlement at Tell el Dab'a, Lower Eygpt. The results obtained from these investigations led to the conclusion that the adhesive is a pure lime plaster, thus providing the oldest evidence for the use of this material as a binding agent so far known in ancient Egypt.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF CORAL RED SLIPS ON GREEK ATTIC POTTERY*

Samples of red and black gloss from Greek Attic pottery of the late sixth to fifth centuries bc were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FIB/STEM). The focus of the study was the chemical and microstructural characterization of the red gloss that was first produced during this period. Two groupings of red gloss were revealed. One red was found to be compositionally similar to the black glosses (labelled ‘LCM coral red’). The other red showed more significant chemical differences, such as higher calcium and magnesium, in comparison to the black (labelled ‘HCM coral red’). The existence of two chemically distinct reds—otherwise identical in colour and texture—suggests that there was more than one source of clay available to the Attic potters for producing red.     

微纳米气泡清洗“南海一号”出水瓷器的安全性评价研究

随着我国水下考古事业的蓬勃发展,出水文物的科学保护已成为亟待解决的重要问题。表面各种附着物的清除是出水瓷器清洗的难点,现有的机械和化学清洗方法均存在着一定的局限性。在试清洗实验中,微纳米气泡展现了存在时间长、传质效率高、表面电荷形成的ζ电位高等不同于普通气泡的物理化学特性,对出水瓷器具有优越的清洗效果,因此有必要进一步对该清洗技术开展科学的安全性评价。选取打捞自"南海一号"的18件瓷片样品,进行了现状调查与病害检测,使用色差分析、光泽度分析、显微分析、显微测量等方法开展了安全性评价研究。实验结果表明,未发现微纳米气泡清洗技术会导致出水瓷器自身的颜色与光泽度产生明显变化,未发现其会导致瓷器釉面损伤,也未发现其会对瓷器已有裂缝产生影响。现有的评价结果表明,微纳米气泡清洗技术对于出水瓷器是基本安全的,为该技术在文物保护工作中的实际应用提供了重要依据。     

Use wear and post-depositional surface modification: A word of caution

This is a preliminary report on experiments designed to study the effect of stratigraphically invisible minor movement of artifacts in the sediment on flint surfaces. The hypothesis was that such prolonged movement could be responsible for postdepositional surface modifications which sometimes mimick use-wear traces and at other times obliterate them. The study was prompted by observation of the high incidence of these phenomena on a wide variety of sites. The results constitute a cautionary tale to those embarking on the microwear analysis of assemblages where these surface alterations are present.     

薛家岗玉器加工工艺的微痕迹初探

为探讨薛家岗文化玉器的制作工艺,采用体视显微镜进行微痕观察,并通过X-射线衍射分析、红外光谱、拉曼光谱等分析仪器的物相测试,对安徽省文物考古研究所和安徽省博物馆所藏的127件薛家岗玉器的表面加工微痕迹进行研究分析。结果显示：薛家岗玉器大多光素无纹;玉料主要以闪石玉为主,结构普遍较粗;开料以线切割技术为主,片切割技术为辅;钻孔主要为两面对钻,工具有实心钻和空心管钻,孔壁常留有螺旋钻痕和对钻台痕;玉器整体经过打磨抛光工序;出现了破裂玉器的接合修复技术;薛家岗文化晚期出现了镂空技法、减地浅浮雕技法以及阴线刻技法,体现了玉器制作工艺的明显进步。     

《诸子平议》训诂失误摭拾

《诸子平议》是一部训诂和校勘的笔记体学术专著,作者俞樾,晚清小学大家。学术界尚无专门文章探讨此书的功过优劣,这与俞樾的学术地位是不相称的。他审字义、破通假、立文法,对今人仍有借鉴意义。同时,我们也发现有许多地方值得商榷,本文力求对其不足之处作出中肯、全面的分析.     

磨炼：晚唐五代诗学的理论核心——以诗格为中心

“磨炼”是晚唐五代诗学的理论核心,这不仅体现为晚唐五代诗格中的具体理论阐述,而且可以从诗格著作群体以及诗格所举的诗例方面得到证明。晚唐五代诗格中的“磨炼”理论是对诗歌创作中字、句、意、格进行锤炼的全方位理论总结,是诗歌创作多方面要求的理论体现。