An experimental case of wood-working use-wear on quartzite artefacts

Abstract

Use-wear analysis has become an essential method for the functional study of lithic artefacts from prehistoric archaeological assemblages. On the basis of earlier research, this article discusses experiments and analyses of use-wear on quartzite artefacts caused by wood-working. The raw materials of the artefacts were collected from the Wulanmulun Site, Inner Mongolia. The woodworking techniques include scraping, drilling, and chopping. Scarring sizes are mostly medium and small. Scarring terminations are mainly feathered; stepped terminations are caused by scraping and chopping wood. Scarring mainly appears as run-together distributions. Medium and heavy rounding is found on the edges of the artefacts.

Keywords

• quartzite artefacts
• wood-working
• replicative experiment
• use-wear analysis