Ricerc@Sapienza

In recent years, several works have proved the reliability of the application of 3D modeling and spatial analysis in the study of stone tool use. Monitoring surface morphometry resulting from the use of lithic tools has the potential to objectively quantify and identify patterns of modifications associated to specific activities and worked materials.

Employing an integrated approach to investigate the use of Late Lower Paleolithic flint tools
found at the site of Qesem Cave (Israel), we revealed a particular trace pattern related to
the employment of ashes at the site. Using a designated collection of replica items and combining
use-wear and residue (morphological analysis, FTIR, SEM-EDX) analyses, we
revealed the intentional use of ashes in preserving foods for delayed consumption as well
as hide for delayed processing. Our interpretation, we believe is the most plausible one

With the exception of Les Pradelles, the lithic industries from the sites included in the research project were the subject of use-wear analyses. For Les Pradelles, functional data was nonetheless available concerning the material from the older excavations (Beyries, 1987a, 1988a). The sampling methods, the composition of the samples, and the number of pieces analyzed varied according to the sites and the use-wear analysts, due to different issues encountered.

This paper investigates Oldowan hominin behavioral ecology through use-wear analysis of artifacts from Kanjera South, Western Kenya.Itextendsdevelopmentofourexperimentaluse-wearreferencecollectionandanalysisofuse-wearonthewellpreservedand unweatheredOldowantoolsfromthissitetoincluderhyolite,anon-localmaterialof similar durability topreviously studiedquartz and quartzite tools, and fenetized andesite, a local material with considerably less durability.

Middle Palaeolithic studies are punctuated with academic debates and reflections on how to understand the behavioural similarities between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. Many Anglo-Saxon researchers have argued that organized hunting could only be carried out by Anatomically Modern Humans (Rendu, 2007). Indeed, despite a growing number of archaeological data speaking in favour of controlled hunting, some authors are still believing that Neanderthals were mostly scavengers (Binford, 1985; Dibble, Mellars, 1992; Stringer, Gamble, 1994).

The Calabria region of Southern Italy is rich in mineralisation. Unfortunately, no consistent data are available about mineral exploitation in the later prehistoric periods. The Grotta della Monaca mine in Calabria is a prehistoric site that is characterised by the mineralisation of iron ores (such as goethite) and copper carbonates (malachite and azurite). For this reason, the site provides an exceptional opportunity to study a prehistoric mine in which several minerals were exploited during the late Neolithic and early Chalcolithic.

Lo studio delle attività di tessitura in archeologia si basa sull’analisi di resti di tessuti, fonti iconografiche e manufatti utilizzati durante i processi di trasformazione delle materie prime in prodotti finiti. Il rinvenimento di oggetti come fuseruole e rocchetti in un contesto archeologico rappresenta una prova indiretta della pratica di attività di filatura e tessitura. Il sempre maggiore utilizzo di questi oggetti nei contesti funerari del I millennio a.C.