Use-Wear traces on copper ore processing tools from Late Bronze sites of the Trans-Urals(use wear analysis)

Abstract

The work is aimed at solving the problem of identifying tools for copper ore processing in tool inventory of the Late Bronze Age settlements in the Trans-Urals. The article presents the results of a series of 11 experiments on smashing and grinding copper-bearing rock. Pebbles and slabs from different types of stone (diorite, flint, silicite, porphyrite, quartzite, granite, quartz sandstone) were used as tools. As a result, use-wear traces on experimental tools were obtained, described in detail and analyzed. It has been established that usewear traces depend on the specific operation, physical properties of the rock, size of the workpiece and the hardness of the processed raw materials. Comparison of the obtained data with archaeological material from the Bronze Age of the Trans-Urals (Ustye I, Kulevchi III, Kamyshnoye I) showed that ore processing tools are represented in small quantity (10 copies), which may indicate the preparation of ore for smelting, mainly outside settlements.

Keywords

• archaeology
• trans-urals
• late bronze age
• crushing and grinding tools
• copper ore
• use wear analysis
• wear traces