Analytical and Ethical Issues Concerning Organic Residues on Paleolithic Chipped Stone Tools from NW Greece

Abstract

The Upper Paleolithic strata of Kastritsa, a rockshelter on the bank of Lalle Pamvotis, near Ioannina (NW Greece), yielded two chipped stone artifacts with surface residues originally assumed to be of Organic composition. The history of analyses of these specimens reveals that there is a need to discuss problems in the identification of Organic residues, and that the ethical aspect of destructive analysis of ancient remains should be considered. One issue is the relationship between archaeology and the hard sciences, and this case study is a cautionary tale revealing that archaeological interpretation is subject to false optimism regarding archaeometrical research that is inexact, partially published, or poorly understood.