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 language | English |
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Journal | Fennoscandia Archaeologica |
Volume | XL |
Pages (from-to) | 57-78 |
Number of pages | 22 |
ISSN | 0781-7126 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2023 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Fields of Science
- 615 History and Archaeology
- Stone Age
- hairs
- Plant remains
- Phytoliths
- Feathers
- Macroscopic use-wear