Back to the edge: relative coordinate system for use-wear analysis

Use-wear studies rely heavily on experiments and reference collections to infer the function of archeological artifacts. Sequential experiments, in particular, are necessary to understand how use-wear develops. Consequently, it is crucial to analyze the same location on the tool's surface during the course of an experiment. Being able to relocate the area of interest on a sample is also essential for reproducibility in use-wear studies. However, visual relocation has limited applicability and there is currently no easy and efficient alternative. Here we propose a simple protocol to create a coordinate system directly on the sample. Three ceramic beads that serve as reference markers are adhered onto the sample, either with epoxy resin or acrylic polymer. The former is easier to work with but the latter is reversible so it can be applied to archeological samples too. The microscope's software then relocates the position(s) of interest. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and measure its repeatability by imaging the same position on an experimental flint blade 10 times with two confocal microscopes. Our results show that the position can be relocated automatically with a horizontal positional repeatability of approximately 14% of the field of view. Quantitative surface texture measurements according to ISO 25178 vary due to this positional inaccuracy, but it is still unknown whether this variation would mask functional differences. Although still perfectible, we argue that this protocol represents an important step toward repeatability and reproducibility in experimental archeology, especially in use-wear studies.Funding Agency Romisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum - Leibniz Research Institute for Archeology by German Federal and Rhineland Palatinate funding (Sondertatbestand "Spurenlabor")info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

3D multi-scale scanning of the archaeological cave "Les Fraux" in Dordogne (France)

8 p.International audienceThe archaeological cave " Les Fraux " (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne) forms a great network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological Bronze Age remains such as domestic fireplaces, ceramic and metal deposits, fingerings incised in the clayey-walls. The cave has been closed according to the collapse of its entrance, at the end of the Bronze Age. The study in progress takes place in a new kind of tool founded by the Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE): sites dedicated to the study of global ecology. In that framework, we develop new methods of data acquiring based on 3D contact-free measurement techniques, according to an interdisciplinary way. A partnership among archaeologists and surveyors from INSA allow the 3D recording and modeling of the global volume cave. In the same time, we implement the high resolution recording of parietal representations (engravings and fingerings). The aim of this paper is focusing on the complementarity of data which are produced by the different scales of 3D recording used in the cave. Another purpose is to issue a statement of the different 3D technologies tested in "Les Fraux". Finally, we propose to start a discussion about the way we try to produce an accurate 3D documentation and adapted to the researchers needs

El análisis funcional de materias primas heterogéneas y su aplicación a diferentes variedades de cuarcitas de la región pampeana (Agentina) : resultados experimentales y arqueológicos

Fil: Leipus, Marcela Sandra. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Mesons in a Poincare Covariant Bethe-Salpeter Approach

We develop a covariant approach to describe the low-lying scalar, pseudoscalar, vector and axialvector mesons as quark-antiquark bound states. This approach is based on an effective interaction modeling of the non--perturbative structure of the gluon propagator that enters the quark Schwinger-Dyson and meson Bethe-Salpeter equations. We consistently treat these integral equations by precisely implementing the quark propagator functions that solve the Schwinger-Dyson equations into the Bethe-Salpeter equations in the relevant kinematical region. We extract the meson masses and compute the pion and kaon decay constants. We obtain a quantitatively correct description for pions, kaons and vector mesons while the calculated spectra of scalar and axialvector mesons suggest that their structure is more complex than being quark-antiquark bound states.Comment: 18 pages LaTeX, 5 figures; some changes in the presentation, new results on axial vector mesons in enlarged mixing scheme; version to be published in Physical Review

Manufacture of a Magdalenian harpoon: Traces of the process and use through Experimental Archaeology

La finalidad de este trabajo es documentar las marcas presentes en un arpón magdaleniense tras su fabricación a través de la Arqueología Experimental, para poder distinguirlas de las huellas de uso en arpones arqueológicos. Además, pretendemos generar marcas del cordaje del enmangue en el asta, tal y como se han hallado en arpones como los de El Horno (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria).The purpose of this paper is documenting the traces found in a Magdalenian harpoon after its manufacture through Experimental Archaeology, in order to differentiate them from the traces of use in archaeological harpoons. In addition, we intend to generate traces of the string in the horn as they have been found in harpoons such as those of El Horno (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria

La microscopía como herramienta metodológica en zooarqueología y tafonomía en Chile: casos y perspectivas

The development of microscopy for the archaeological materials analysis since the early ‘50s, has strongly impacted the development of analytical methodologies that allow access to a record, otherwise, inaccessible. However, Latin America has remained relatively outside to the development of such innovations. In the last decade, however, the use of microscopy of different nature and magnification levels, and still has gained a shy impulse among researchers, perhaps coinciding with an increased interest in technology and bone traceology. In this paper we presents a synthesis of the impact of the use of microscopes (and especially at Scanning Electron Microscope) in chilean zooarchaeology and taphonomy from the analysis of specific cases, a critical assessment of their capabilities, technical requirements, costs and weaknesses in the context of zooarchaeological research.La utilización de la microscopía en materiales en arqueológicas a partir de los años 50, ha repercutido fuertemente en el desarrollo de metodologías de análisis que permiten acceder a un registro inaccesible por otros medios. No obstante, Latinoamérica había permanecido relativamente ajena al desarrollo de dichas innovaciones. En la última década, sin embargo, la utilización de microscopía de diferentes aumentos y naturalezas ha ido cobrando un tímido impulso entre los investigadores, tal vez en coincidencia con un aumento en el interés por la tecnología y traceología ósea. En el presente trabajo se elabora una síntesis del impacto del uso de microscopía (y especialmente la Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido) en la zooarqueología y tafonomía chilena a partir del análisis de casos específicos, un balance crítico de sus posibilidades, requerimientos técnicos, costos y debilidades en el marco de la investigación zooarqueológica

: THE BRONZE AGE PAINTED CAVE OF " LES FRAUX ", DORDOGNE (FRANCE)

International audienceFor six years, an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, surveyors, environmentalists and archaeometrists have jointly carried out the study of a Bronze Age painted cave, registrered in the French Historical Monuments. The archaeological cave of Les Fraux (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne) forms a wide network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological remains such as ceramic and metal deposits, parietal representation and about domestic fireplaces. This cave is the only protohistorical site in Europe wherein are gathered testimonies of domestic, spiritual and artistic activities. Fortunately, the cave was closed at the end of the Bronze Age, following to the collapse of its entrance. The site was re-discovered in 1989 and its study started in 2007. The study in progress takes place in a new kind of tool founded by the CNRS's Institute of Ecology and Environment. The purpose of this observatory is the promotion of new methodologies and experimental studies in Global Ecology. In that framework, 3D models of the cave constitute the common work support and the best way for scientific communication for the various studies conducted on the site by nearly forty researchers. In this specific context, a partnership among archaeologists and surveyors from INSA Strasbourg allows the team to develop, in an interdisciplinary way, new methods of data acquiring based on contact-free measurements techniques in order to acquire a full 3D-documentation. This work is conducted in compliance with the integrity of the site. Different techniques based on Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Digital Photogrammetry and Spatial Imaging System have been used in order to generate a geometric and photorealistic 3D model from the combination of point clouds and photogrammetric images, for both visualization and accurate documentation purposes. Various scales of acquiring and diverse resolutions have been applied according to the subject: global volume cave, parietal representations, deposits... The aim of this paper is to issue a statement of the different 3D technologies tested in this outstanding site and the integration of magnetic measurements in the models