Into the light: The effect of UV light on flint tool surfaces, residues and adhesives

[en] Functional studies of prehistoric stone tools are often hindered by the surface preservation of the artefacts. Archaeological residues and use-wear can differ from their experimentally reproduced counterparts to an extent that their identification is not possible by simple comparison. An understanding of how stone tools and residues change over time is thus essential for a better view of past human technology. In open-air site contexts, UV light is the first degradation agent to impact lithic tools before their burial. Even though UV light has been mentioned as an alteration process and its effects on certain mineral and organic materials are known from other scientific fields, it has never been thoroughly studied in archaeology. This study provides a synthesis of the effect of UV light on organic materials and presents the results of the first controlled experiment ever carried out in archaeology to investigate the impact of UV light on flint tools and adhesives.

Disciplines :

Archaeology

Author, co-author :

Michel, Marine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Art, Archéologie et Patrimoine (AAP)

Rots, Veerle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences historiques > TraceoLab

Language :

English

Title :

Into the light: The effect of UV light on flint tool surfaces, residues and adhesives

Publication date :

23 May 2022

Journal title :

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

ISSN :

2352-409X

Publisher :

Elsevier

Volume :

Pages :

103479

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S2352409X22001420?httpAccept=text/xml

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fund for Scientific Research
ULiège FSR - Université de Liège. Fonds spéciaux pour la recherche

Available on ORBi :

since 30 May 2022

Statistics

Number of views

106 (7 by ULiège)

Number of downloads

5 (4 by ULiège)

More statistics

Scopus citations^®

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

OpenCitations

OpenAlex citations

Bibliography

Baales, M., Birker, S., Mucha, F., Hafting with beeswax in the Final Palaeolithic: a barbed point from Bergkamen. Antiquity 91:359 (2017), 1155–1170.
Bekbölet, M., Light effects on food. J. Food Prot. 53 (1990), 430–440, 10.4315/0362-028X-53.5.430.
Bertolini, A.C., Mestres, C., Colonna, P., Raffi, J., Free radical formation in UV- and gamma-irradiated cassava starch. Carbohydr. Polym. 44 (2001), 269–271, 10.1016/S0144-8617(00)00268-X.
Bertran, P., Bordes, J.-G., Todisco, D., Vallin, L., Géoarchéologie et taphonomie des vestiges archéologiques: impact des processus naturels sur les assemblages et méthodes d'analyses. TaphonomieS, 2017, 125–166.
Blanchette, R.A., A review of microbial deterioration found in archaeological wood from different environments. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 46 (2000), 189–204, 10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00077-9.
Bleicher, N., Kelstrup, C., Olsen, J.V., Cappellini, E., Molecular evidence of use of hide glue in 4th millennium BC Europe. J. Archaeol. Sci. 63 (2015), 65–71, 10.1016/j.jas.2015.08.012.
Brennan, P., Fedor, C., 1987. Sunlight, Uv and Accelerated Weathering. 55:198–203. 10.1016/0306-3747(88)90432-0.
Careddu, N., Marras, G., The effects of solar UV radiation on the gloss values of polished stone surfaces. Constr. Build. Mater. 49 (2013), 828–834, 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.09.010.
Caspar, J.-P., Masson, B., Vallin, L., Poli de bois ou poli de glace au Paléolithique inférieur et moyen? Problème de convergence taphonomique et fonctionnelle. Bull. Soc. préhistorique française 100 (2003), 453–462, 10.3406/bspf.2003.12866.
Caux, S., Du territoire d ’ approvisionnement au territoire culturel: pétroarchéologie et techno-économie du silex Grain de mil durant l’ Aurignacien dans le Sud-ouest de la France. 2015, Université de Bordeaux.
Caux, S., Galland, A., Queffelec, A., Bordes, J.-G., Aspects and characterization of chert alteration in an archaeological context: a qualitative to quantitative pilot study. J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep. 20 (2018), 210–219, 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.04.027.
Charrié-Duhaut, A., Porraz, G., Cartwright, C.R., Igreja, M., Connan, J., Poggenpoel, C., Texier, P.-J., First molecular identification of a hafting adhesive in the Late Howiesons Poort at Diepkloof Rock Shelter (Western Cape, South Africa). J. Archaeol. Sci. 40:9 (2013), 3506–3518.
Cheeseman, K.H., Slater, T.F., An introduction to free radical biochemistry. Br. Med. Bull. 49 (1993), 481–493, 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a072625.
Čížová, K., Vizárová, K., Ház, A., Vykydalová, A., Cibulková, Z., Šimon, P., Study of the degradation of beeswax taken from a real artefact. J. Cult. Herit. 37 (2019), 103–112.
Clarke, D., Archaeology: the loss of innocence. Antiquity 47:185 (1973), 6–18.
Cnuts, D., Rots, V., 2017. Taphonomie et analyse des résidus sur les pièces lithiques. In: TaphonomieS. Pp. 187–194.
Cnuts, D., Tomasso, S., Rots, V., The role of fire in the life of an adhesive. J. Archaeol. Method Theory 25 (2018), 839–862, 10.1007/s10816-017-9361-z.
Croft, S., Chatzipanagis, K., Kröger, R., Milner, N., Misleading residues on lithics from Star Carr: Identification with Raman microspectroscopy. J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep. 19 (2018), 430–438, 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.03.018.
Croft, S., Monnier, G., Anita Radini, A., Little, A., Milner, N., Lithic Residue Survival and Characterisation at Star Carr: a burial experiment. Internet Archaeol.(42), 2016.
Cronyn, J.M., Elements of Archaeological Conservation. 2003, Routledge, New York.
Davies, M.J., Truscott, R.J.W., Photo-oxidation of proteins and its role in cataractogenesis. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 63 (2001), 114–125, 10.1016/S1011-1344(01)00208-1.
de la Peña, P., Witelson, D., Trampling vs. retouch in a lithic assemblage: a case study from a middle stone age site, Steenbokfontein 9KR (Limpopo, South Africa). J. F. Archaeol. 43 (2018), 522–537, 10.1080/00934690.2018.1524219.
Degano, I., Soriano, S., Villa, P., Pollarolo, L., Lucejko, J.J., Jacobs, Z., Douka, K., Vitagliano, S., Tozzi, C., Zerboni, A., Hafting of Middle Paleolithic tools in Latium (central Italy): New data from Fossellone and Sant'Agostino caves. PLoS ONE, 14(6), 2019, e0213473.
Delvigne, V., 2016. Géoressources et expressions technoculturelles dans le sud du Massif central au Paléolithique supérieur: des déterminismes et des choix. Bordeaux.
Driscoll, K., Alcaina, J., Égüez, N., Mangado, X., Fullola, J.-M., Tejero, J.-M., Trampled under foot: a quartz and chert human trampling experiment at the Cova del Parco rock shelter, Spain. Quat. Int. 424 (2016), 130–142.
Dupont, G., Distillation du bois. 1924, Gauthier-Villars et co, Paris.
Fernandes, P., 2012. Itinéraires et transformations du silex: une pétroarchéologie refondée, application au Paléolithique moyen. Bordeaux I.
Fiers, G., Halbrucker, É., De Kock, T., et al. Thermal alteration of flint: an experimental approach to investigate the effect on material properties. Lithic Technol 46:1 (2020), 27–44, 10.1080/01977261.2020.1805215.
Foley, R., 1.81) Off-site archaeology: an alternative approach for the short-sited. Pattern past Stud. honour David Clarke 157–183.
Friedman, E., Goren-Inbar, N., Rosenfeld, A., et al. Hafting during mousterian times – further indication. J. Isr. Prehist. Soc. 26 (1994), 8–31, 10.1080/01977261.1988.11754524.
George, B., Suttie, E., Merlin, A., Deglise, X., Photodegradation and photostabilisation of wood – the state of the art. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 88 (2005), 268–274, 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2004.10.018.
Glauberman, P.J., Thorson, R.M., Flint patina as an aspect of “flaked stone taphonomy”: a case study from the loess terrain of the Netherlands and Belgium. J Taphon 10 (2012), 21–43.
Goodwin, A.J.H., Chemical alteration (patination) of stone. South African Archaeol Bull, 15, 1960, 67, 10.2307/3886559.
Hayes, E., Cnuts, D., Rots, V., Integrating SEM-EDS in a sequential residue analysis protocol: benefits and challenges. J. Archaeol. Sci. Reports 23 (2019), 116–126, 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.10.029.
Hayes, E.H., Rots, V., Documenting scarce and fragmented residues on stone tools: an experimental approach using optical microscopy and SEM-EDS. Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci. 11 (2018), 3065–3099, 10.1007/s12520-018-0736-1.
Helwig, K., Monahan, V., Poulin, J., The identification of hafting adhesive on a slotted antler point from a southwest Yukon ice patch. Am. Antiq. 73:2 (2008), 279–288.
Hodgson, D., Vyverman, W., Verleyen, E., Leavitt, P., Sabbe, K., Squier, A., Keely, B., Late Pleistocene record of elevated UV radiation in an Antarctic lake. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 236:3-4 (2005), 765–772.
Huisman, D.J., Degradation of Archaeological Remains. 2009, Sdu Uitgev, Den Haag.
Jariashvili, K., Madhan, B., Brodsky, B., Kuchava, A., Namicheishvili, L., Metreveli, N., Uv damage of collagen: insights from model collagen peptides. Biopolymers 97:3 (2012), 189–198.
Kochevar, I.E., Uv-induced protein alterations and lipid oxidation in erythrocyte membranes. Photochem. Photobiol. 52 (1990), 795–800, 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1990.tb08684.x.
Koller, J., Baumer, U., Jena, F., High-tech in the middle palaeolithic: Neandertal-manufactured pitch identified. Eur J Archaeol 4 (2001), 385–397.
Kozowyk, P.R.B., Poulis, J.A., A new experimental methodology for assessing adhesive properties shows that Neandertals used the most suitable material available. J. Hum. Evol., 137, 2019, 102664, 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.102664.
Kozowyk, P.R.B., van Gijn, A.L., Langejans, G.H.J., Understanding preservation and identification biases of ancient adhesives through experimentation. Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci., 12, 2020, 10.1007/s12520-020-01179-y.
Langejans, G.H.J., Remains of the day-preservation of organic micro-residues on stone tools. J. Archaeol. Sci. 37 (2010), 971–985, 10.1016/J.JAS.2009.11.030.
Langejans, G.H.J., Discerning use-related micro-residues on tools: testing the multi-stranded approach for archaeological studies. J. Archaeol. Sci. 38 (2011), 985–1000, 10.1016/J.JAS.2010.11.013.
Langenheim, J.H., Plant resin: Chemistry. Evolution. Ecology. Ethnobotany, 2003, Timber Press, Oregon, US.
Levi-Sala, I., Use-wear traces: processes of development and post-depositional alterations. Traces Fonct les gestes retrouvés 50 (1993), 401–416.
Levi Sala, I., A study of Microscopic Polish on Flint Implements. 1996, BAR International Series 629.
Luedtke, B.E., An archaeologist's Guide to Chert and Flint, Domestic Ritual in Ancient Mesoamerica, 1992, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press.
Madronich, S., McKenzie, R.L., Björn, L.O., Caldwell, M.M., Changes in biologically active ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 46 (1998), 5–19, 10.1039/b211155c.
Mansur-Franchomme, M.E., Microscopie du matériel lithique préhistorique: traces d'utilisation, altérations naturelles, accidentelles et technologiques. 1986, Exemples de Patagonie, CNRS, Paris.
Mazza, P.P.A., Martini, F., Sala, B., Magi, M., Colombini, M.P., Giachi, G., Landucci, F., Lemorini, C., Modugno, F., Ribechini, E., A new Palaeolithic discovery: tar-hafted stone tools in a European Mid-Pleistocene bone-bearing bed. J. Archaeol. Sci. 33:9 (2006), 1310–1318.
Michel, M., Cnuts, D., Rots, V., Freezing in-sight: the effect of frost cycles on use-wear and residues on flint tools. Archaeol Anthropol Sci, 2019, 1–29.
Moan, J., Visible light and UV radiation. Brune, D., Hellborg, R., BRRP and RP, (eds.) Radiation at Home, Outdoors and in the Workplace, 2001, Scandinavian Science Publisher, Oslo, 69–85.
Monnier, G., May, K., Documenting the degradation of animal-tissue residues on experimental stone tools: a multi-analytical approach. Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci. 11 (2019), 6803–6827, 10.1007/s12520-019-00941-1.
Moorhead, D.L., Callaghan, T., Effects of increasing ultraviolet B radiation on decomposition and soil organic matter dynamics: a synthesis and modelling study. Biol. Fertil. Soils 18 (1994), 19–26, 10.1007/BF00336439.
Müller, U., Rätzsch, M., Schwanninger, M., Steiner, M., Zöbl, H., Yellowing and IR-changes of spruce wood as result of UV-irradiation. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 69:2 (2003), 97–105.
MUNSELL Color: Munsell Soil Color Book. Michigan, 2009.
Navarro, R., Catarino, L., Pereira, D., de SC Gil, F.P., Effect of UV radiation on chromatic parameters in serpentinites used as dimension stones. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 78 (2019), 5345–5355, 10.1007/s10064-019-01469-3.
Niekus, M.J.L.T., Kozowyk, P.R.B., Langejans, G.H.J., et al. Middle paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 116 (2019), 22081–22087, 10.1073/pnas.1907828116.
Pattison, D.I., Rahmanto, A.S., Davies, M.J., Photo-oxidation of proteins. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 11 (2012), 38–53, 10.1039/c1 pp05164d.
Pereira, A.L.F., Abreu, V.K.G., Lipid peroxidation in meat and meat products. Mansour, M.A., (eds.) Lipid Peroxidation, 2018, IntechOpen, London, 1–14.
Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P.H., Dubois, L., et al. A new approach for the characterization of organic residues from stone tools using. Separations 3 (2016), 8–10, 10.3390/separations3020016.
Plisson, Etude fonctionnelle d'outillages lithiques prehistoriques par l'analyses des micro-usures: recherche méthodologiqu et archéologique. 1985, Université de Paris I.
Plisson, H., De la conservation des micro-polis d'utilisation. Bulletin de la société préhistorique française 80 (1983), 71–79.
Plisson, H., Mauger, M., Chemical and mechanical alteration of microwear polishes: an experimental approach. Helinium 28 (1988), 3–16.
Rageot, M., 2015. Les substances naturelles en Méditerranée nord-occidentale (VIe-Ier millénaire BCE): chimie et archéologie des matériaux exploités leur propriétés adhésives et hydrophobes.
Regert, M., Colinart, S., Degrand, L., Decavallas, O., Chemical alteration and use of beeswax through time: accelerated ageing tests and analysis of archaeological samples from various environmental contexts. Archaeometry 43 (2001), 549–569, 10.1111/1475-4754.00036.
Roebroeks, W., Villa, P., Reply to Sandgathe et al.: Neandertal use of fire. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 108, 2011, E299, 10.1073/pnas.1108129108.
Rots, V., Hayes, E., Cnuts, D., Lepers, C., Fullagar, R., Bicho, N., Making sense of residues on flaked stone artefacts: learning from blind tests. PLoS ONE, 11(3), 2016, e0150437.
Rottländer, R., The formation of patina on flint. Archaeometry 17 (1975), 106–110, 10.1111/j.1475-4754.1975.tb00120.x.
Rowel, R.M., 2005. Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites. CRC Press, USA.
Rutkoski, A.R., Miller, G.L., Maguire, L., et al. The effect of heat on lithic microwear traces: an experimental assessment. Lithic Technol 45 (2019), 38–47, 10.1080/01977261.2019.1690617.
Sáez-Pérez, M.P., Rodríguez-Gordillo, J., The influence of solar radiation on the deterioration of the marble columns in the courtyard of the lions in the Alhambra. Stud. Conserv. 53 (2008), 145–157, 10.1179/sic.2008.53.3.145.
Schäfer, K., Goddinger, D., Höcker, H., Photodegradation of tryptophan in wool. J Soc Dye Colour 113 (1997), 350–355, 10.1111/j.1478-4408.1997.tb01862.x.
Schiffer, M.B., Toward the identification of formation processes. Am. Antiq. 48:4 (1983), 675–706.
Schiffer, M.B., Formation Processes of the Archaeological Record. 1987, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.
Semenov, S.A., Prehistoric technology. An experimental study ofthe oldest tools and artefacts from traces of manufacture and wear? Translated by, 1964, W. Thompson., Adams and, London.
Solazzo, C., Courel, B., Connan, J., van Dongen, B.E., Barden, H., Penkman, K., Taylor, S., Demarchi, B., Adam, P., Schaeffer, P., Nissenbaum, A., Bar-Yosef, O., Buckley, M., Identification of the earliest collagen- and plant-based coatings from Neolithic artefacts (Nahal Hemar cave, Israel). Sci. Rep., 6(1), 2016, 10.1038/srep31053.
Sturge, W.A., The patina of flint implements. Proc. Prehist. Soc. East Angl. 1 (1912), 140–157, 10.1017/s0958841800022626.
Teaca, C.-A., Rosu, D., Bodirlau, R., Rosu, L., Structural changes in wood under artificial UV light irradiation determined by FTIR spectroscopy and color measurements – a brief review. BioRessource 8 (2013), 1478–1507, 10.5897/ajb2017.15959.
Thomson, G., 1994. The Museum Environment. London.
Torikai, A., Shibata, H., Effect of ultraviolet radiation on photodegradation of collagen. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 73 (1999), 1259–1265, 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19990815)73:7<1259::AID-APP20>3.0.CO;2-#.
Van Den Berg, K.J., Boon, J.J., Pastorova, I., Spetter, L.F.M., Mass spectrometric methodology for the analysis of highly oxidized diterpenoid acids in Old Master paintings. J. Mass Spectrom. 35 (2000), 512–533, 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9888(200004)35:4<512::AID-JMS963>3.0.CO;2-3.
Van Gijn, A., A functional analysis of the Belvédère flints. Analecta Praehistorica Leidensia. Appendix, I:, 1988, 21.
Verhoeven, G.J., Schmitt, K.D., An attempt to push back frontiers – digital near-ultraviolet aerial archaeology. J. Archaeol. Sci. 37 (2010), 833–845, 10.1016/j.jas.2009.11.013.
Vykydalová, A., Cibulková, Z., Čížová, K., Vizárová, K., Šimon, P., Degradation of beeswax by NOx pollution and UV light studied by DSC and FTIR measurements. Thermochim. Acta, 689, 2020, 178606.