Analysis of Lithic Artefact Microdebitage for Chronological Determination of Archaeological Sites

Description

This study explores several different techniques to isolate and determine the age of lithic microdebitage in relation to archaeological deposits and sedimentation. This research proposes the integration of techniques available in archaeology and geomorphology to ascertain the shape and features of quartz microdebitage, and the use of OSL for direct dating of the artefacts and sediments. In this research, sedimentary samples from two archaeological sites in northern Australia are analysed using experimental methodologies to isolate and date quartz microdebitage, derived from the process of manufacturing stone tools. The central aim of this research is to apply the OSL dating technique for direct dating of quartz artefactual material. In order to achieve this it is necessary to unequivocally distinguish between microdebitage and the surrounding sediments. This is done by applying grain surface features techniques and microdebitage analysis to separate archaeological quartz and naturally occurring sedimentary quartz grains. The aims of this research are, therefore, to identify quartz microdebitage from archaeologically relevant deposits, and to use quartz microdebitage for OSL age determination, along with refinements in microdebitage analysis techniques. The principal novel aspect of this research is the dating of quartz microartefacts by OSL, although the combination of approaches taken, and their integration, is also innovative. 03Chapter2-BAR-FINAL1.pdf 2.6 The SAR protocol and age determination of microdebitage 2.7 Research into combining methods and techniques 04Chapter3-BAR-FINAL.pdf Application of SEM/EDAX to microdebitage analysis 3.1.1 Goorurarmum 2 rockshelter, microdebitage analysis 3.1.2 Karlinga 1 rockshelter, microdebitage analysis 3.1.3 Testing microdebitage recognition 3.2 Application of optical stereomicroscopy to microdebitage 3.2.1 Optical stereomicroscope (operator variance) tests 3.2.2 Optical stereomicroscopy under red illumination Standard error (Gy) 3.2.3 Testing for luminescence signal in microdebitage 3.3 Application of OSL dating techniques to quartz microdebi 3.3.1 Test 1. Dose recovery from quartz after exposure to SE 3.3.2 Test 2. Dose recovery from sediment after exposure to Standard error 3.3.3 OSL chronological determination of microdebitage 3.4 Case studies and the reasons for choosing them 05Chapter4-BAR-FINAL.pdf General description of the archaeological site 4.1.1. Jinmium rockshelter age determination 4.2 Methods applied to this case study North face South face Source: Roberts et al. (1998a: 361). MA= multiple aliquot. 4.3 Jinmium COOR 7/1(C1/III south) sample analysis Treatment Recycling ratio Recycling ratio Total dose rate differs from previous data (Roberts et al., 4.3.2 Discussion of sample COOR 7/1 Optical age of sedimentary quartz grains Total dose rate differs from previous data (Roberts et al., North Total dose rate differs from previous data (Roberts et al., COOR 1/3 Sediment COOR 1/3 Microdebitage COOR 1/3 Sediment COOR 7/1 Sediment COOR 7/1 Microdebitage This Study (COOR 1/3) This Study (COOR 7/1) Auger holes 4 and 5 compared with C1/IV and C1/III microdebi Sample OSL SG central OSL SG central 06Chapter5-BAR-FINAL.pdf General description of the archaeological site 5.1.1 Mushroom Rock West age determination 5.2 Methods applied to this case study 5.3 Laura 15 sample analysis 5.3.1 Optical age of microdebitage (250-500 µm) Microdebitage 5.3.2 Optical age of microdebitage (500-1000 µm) Microdebitage 5.3.3 Optical age of sedimentary quartz (250-500 µm) Sediment* Laura 15 5.3.4 Optical age of laboratory sediment sample WGO171B (90- Sediment* Laura 15 Discussion of sample Laura 15 Sediment *Laura 15 **Laura 15 SG minimum ##Laura 15 5.4 Laura 18 sample analysis 5.4.1 Optical age of sedimentary quartz grains (90-125 µm) Grain number Sediment* Laura 18 5.4.2 Optical age of microdebitage particles (250-500 µm) Microdebitage* Laura 18 *400 µm 5.4.3 Discussion of sample Laura 18 Sediment* Microdebitage** Laura 18 5.5 Synthesis and discussion of the Mushroom Rock West case Laura 18 07Chapter6-BAR-FINAL.pdf 6.1 Discussion of results from the case studies Microdebitage analysis OSL age determination Analysis of the methodology Evaluation of the techniques used 6.3.1 Advances and advantages of using this model 6.4 Reliability and applicability of the methods 6.5 Application of the methods to archaeological sites 6.6 Further research Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum… 11AppendixC-BAR-FINAL.pdf Surface features Roundness index Sample and operator A1 Surface features Roundness index Sample and operator A1 Front Cover Title Page Copyright Preface Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures Abbreviations and acronyms Chapter one: Introduction and research objectives Chapter two: Review of analytical methods and techniques Chapter three: Experimentation and validation of methods and techniques Chapter four: Case study 1, Jinmium, Keep River, Northern Territory Chapter five: Case study 2, Mushroom Rock West, Queensland Chapter six: Conclusions and further considerations Bibliographic references Appendix A: Beta source dose rate correction for large grains Appendix B: Optical stereomicroscopy blind test score sheets Appendix C: Operator variance test data