Quantifying Use-Wear Polish Through 3D Imaging Software

First Results from a Preliminary Study Calculating Usage Time of Neolithic Sickles

Abstract

Since its international development in the second half of the last century, use-wear studies have become an indispensable analytical method of archaeological research. The technique has often been criticized for basing results on subjective observations made by the researcher. The study presented in this paper uses an image analysis software to study the development of use-wear polish on flint tools. An initial case-study uses the software to measure polish development on experimental flint blades. Based on the results from this initial study a concluding case-study is conducted to calculate usage time of archaeological flint sickles.