Stone tool surface textures change predictably as they are used
In short: Researchers using confocal microscopy to study stone tools found that the microscopic polish left on surfaces evolves continuously during use. By analyzing surface textures, the study observed that most significant changes to the polish occur during the initial stages of working a material.
The study shows that the way surface texture evolves over time differs depending on the material being worked. While different materials can still be identified, the researchers found that textures can overlap during early use or become very similar between materials like bone and antler during advanced stages of use. This suggests that identifying what a tool was used for requires considering both the material and the duration of use.
The researchers used texture analysis via confocal microscopy to track how microwear polish changes during the working process.
Why it matters: To accurately identify what ancient stone tools were used for, archaeologists must consider both the material and the duration of use.
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