Combining residue and macroscopic use-wear analysis of quartz objects in Kraakanmäki 3 Late Neolithic settlement site, western Finland

Tuija Kirkinen, Tytti Juhola, Olli Artturi Eranti, Teemu Väisänen, Johanna Seppä, Vesa Antero Laulumaa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Microscopic remains of plants, hairs, blood, bone, and sinew have been detected on Stone Age implements as evidence of the ways the tools were used. Together with use-wear analysis, microresidues enable us to obtain additional information of artefact biographies. However, the preservation of residues is not a straightforward issue. Although bones, plant matter, and wood have a tendency to decompose rapidly in acidic podzol soils, the acidity favours the preservation of keratinous tissues such as hairs and feathers. Because the analysis of microresidues has not been applied on Finnish quartz artefacts, this paper presents a preliminary testing of the method in a Late Stone Age settlement site in Kraakanmäki 3, western Finland. As a result, we found microscopic remains of hairs, feathers, and plants, which enable us to speak for the careful handling of quartz and stone tools at the excavations for further analyses.
Original languageEnglish
JournalFennoscandia Archaeologica
VolumeXL
Pages (from-to)57-78
Number of pages22
ISSN0781-7126
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2023
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fields of Science

  • 615 History and Archaeology
  • Stone Age
  • hairs
  • Plant remains
  • Phytoliths
  • Feathers
  • Macroscopic use-wear

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