Residue analysis of prehistoric stone tools: a critical evaluation of current methods and practices through experimentation.
Dries Cnuts · Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Liège) · 2014
Experimentation Experiments are essential for the understanding of how residues were formed during the lifecycle of prehistoric stone tools. Experimental work can help us in determining whether the residues were deposited on the tool’s surface as a result of use or due to other processes. It is also crucial for finding the most suitable techniques for extracting and identifying residues. The analytical method chosen may an impact on the results of a residue analysis. Blind testing Blind tests are an important step in testing the reliability of the method, because they point out its limits and strengths. This can help to refine the method in order to maximize its accuracy and precision. Although residue analysis has been applied for more than 40 years, it cannot be considered a standardized method. A wide variety of different techniques have been used since then, mainly by self-taught analysts according to their own preferences. Techniques have not been validated through experimental control and blind testing, both (of which are) crucial for developing any reliable analytical method. My PhD focuses primarily on these methodological issues.