Use-wear Analysis of Nonflint Lithic Raw Materials: The Cases of Quartz/Quartzite and Obsidian

Abstract

In this chapter we explain the specificities posed by the use-wear analysis of homogeneous and heterogeneous rocks other than flint. We describe the experimentation carried out with such raw-materials as quartz, quartzite and obsidian, and propose the same means of observation as for the analysis of implements in flint and/or bone: binocular magnifying glass for the study of the macrotraces and metallographic microscope for microtraces. The types of marks seen are described, stressing the specific traits of each raw material.