The micro-stratigraphy of weathering effects upon long-exposed Palaeolithic chert artifacts from central Arabia
Examination by lOX optical- and Scanning Electron- microscopy of 91 chert tools found on surface sites in central Arabia disclosed a suite of weathering characteristics such as subsurface fabric changes (Weathering Fronts), loss of Silica (Corrosion Pitting), deposition on- and penetration of- fabric by externally sourced materials (Manganese) (Fe- Rock Varnish), and the effects of various edaphic, aeolian and biotic elements, which appeared to have an order to their occurrence. The tools were typo 1ogically classified as Mousterian and Rub' al Khali ~Neolithic~, and are common to the area. The various effects appeared in regular stratigraphic order on similar varieties of chert (mainly brown and white) from sites over an 80 kilometre distance, and suggested the tools had experienced a common sequence of changes probably caused by weathering. The ~Neolithic~ tools displayed characteristics only from the upper end of the matrix. Some effects were specific to particular types of stone. The flaking episodes were interspaced at various points within the combined sequence derived from all the tools. This allowed flaking episodes to be sorted into relative order which assigned the ~Neolithic~ pieces to two upper-
Custerson, Brian David
The micro-stratigraphy of weathering effects upon long-exposed Palaeolithic chert artifacts from central Arabia. Examination by lOX optical- and Scanning Electron- microscopy of 91 chert tools found on surface sites in central Arabia disclosed a suite of weathering characteristics such as subsurface fabric changes (Weathering Fronts), loss of Silica (Corrosion Pitting), deposition on- and penetration of- fabric by externally sourced materials (Manganese) (Fe- Rock Varnish), and the effects of various edaphic, aeolian and biotic elements, which appeared to have an order to their occurrence. The tools were typo 1ogically classified as Mousterian and Rub' al Khali ~Neolithic~, and are common to the area. The various effects appeared in regular stratigraphic order on similar varieties of chert (mainly brown and white) from sites over an 80 kilometre distance, and suggested the tools had experienced a common sequence of changes probably caused by weathering. The ~Neolithic~ tools displayed characteristics only from the upper end of the matrix. Some effects were specific to particular types of stone. The flaking episodes were interspaced at various points within the combined sequence derived from all the tools. This allowed flaking episodes to be sorted into relative order which assigned the ~Neolithic~ pieces to two upper-
micro stratigraphy weathering effect_upon long exposed palaeolithic artifacts central arabia examination optical scanning electron microscopy tool find surface site central arabia disclose suite weather characteristic subsurface fabric change weathering loss corrosion deposition penetration fabric externally source_material rock effect various aeolian element appear order occurrence tool typo classified neolithic common area various effect appear regular stratigraphic order similar variety mainly brown white sit distance suggest tool experience common sequence change probably cause weathering neolithic tool display characteristic upper end matrix effect specific particular_type stone flake episode various point within combined sequence derive tool allow flake episode sort relative order assign neolithic piece upper