Zupancich Andrea, Cristiani Emanuela, Di Fazio Melania, Medeghini Laura, Gopher Avi, Ibáñez Juan José
DANTE-Diet and Ancient Technology Laboratory, Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
J Archaeol Method Theory. 2025;32(1):30. doi: 10.1007/s10816-025-09697-6. Epub 2025 Feb 8.
Ground stone tools are frequently found in archaeological contexts from early to late prehistoric times. These tools are key evidence for reconstructing past societies' lifeways, technology and know-how, given their role in different tasks, including subsistence and craft activities. In recent years, the field of use-wear studies on ground stone tools showed an exponential growth in applying quantitative methods at all scales of observations, from macro to micro. These included using 3D models to measure and identify worked areas, spatial analyses for exploring trace and residue distribution, and confocal profilometers to analyse micro-polish texture. In this paper, we present results stemming from the application of confocal light microscopy and 3D surface texture analysis to identify and distinguish micro-polishes deriving from the processing of plant foods. We tested the potential of this method by analysing micro-polishes on modern limestone replicas used for grinding, pounding and dehusking wild and domestic cereal grains and legumes. Following a multi-level analysis, we demonstrate the efficacy of confocal microscopy and 3D surface texture analysis in correctly discriminating between different micro-polishes. We show how this method, integrated with the qualitative assessment of use-wear, may enhance functional interpretations of ground stone tools; we also discuss the current limits and future perspectives for their systematic application in the study of archaeological assemblages.
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10816-025-09697-6.
从史前早期到晚期的考古遗址中经常发现磨制石器。鉴于这些工具在包括生存和工艺活动在内的不同任务中所起的作用，它们是重建过去社会生活方式、技术和专门知识的关键证据。近年来，磨制石器的使用磨损研究领域在从宏观到微观的所有观察尺度上应用定量方法方面呈指数级增长。这些方法包括使用三维模型来测量和识别加工区域、进行空间分析以探索痕迹和残留物分布，以及使用共焦轮廓仪来分析微观抛光纹理。在本文中，我们展示了应用共焦光学显微镜和三维表面纹理分析来识别和区分源自植物性食物加工的微观抛光的结果。我们通过分析用于研磨、捣碎和去除野生及家养谷物和豆类外壳的现代石灰岩复制品上的微观抛光，测试了这种方法的潜力。经过多层次分析，我们证明了共焦显微镜和三维表面纹理分析在正确区分不同微观抛光方面的有效性。我们展示了这种方法与使用磨损的定性评估相结合，如何能够增强对磨制石器的功能解释；我们还讨论了其在考古组合研究中系统应用的当前局限性和未来前景。
在线版本包含可在10.1007/s10816 - 025 - 09697 - 6获取的补充材料。
