No stone left unturned : fluvial processes in the Pleistocene of northern Europe
This thesis explores the effects of fluvial processes on Pleistocene lithic artifacts and assemblages in northern Europe. Lithic artifacts are commonly found within fluvial sediments indicating that they have been subject to moving flow. Their incorporation into the bedload may result in changes to morphology and spatial context, thereby obscuring site interpretations. This has been well documented among numerous sites worldwide. This study reports on three experiments aimed at understanding the effects of fluvial processes on lithic artifacts. In the fluvial-field experiment, 456 painted and measured replica lithic artifacts were placed in nine different ~scatters~ along the River Glenderamackin (UK), where river flow and animal activity were monitored for 18 months. Artifacts were visited at four different times and each time their locations, orientations, and physical conditions were recorded. The results showed that artifact movement depends on lithic morphology and discard location (in the river channel or on the banks), with vegetation and burial playing critical roles in inhibiting transport. Artifact transport also resulted in characteristic edge micro-flaking. In the tumbling barrel experiment, 188
Chu, Wei
No stone left unturned : fluvial processes in the Pleistocene of northern Europe. This thesis explores the effects of fluvial processes on Pleistocene lithic artifacts and assemblages in northern Europe. Lithic artifacts are commonly found within fluvial sediments indicating that they have been subject to moving flow. Their incorporation into the bedload may result in changes to morphology and spatial context, thereby obscuring site interpretations. This has been well documented among numerous sites worldwide. This study reports on three experiments aimed at understanding the effects of fluvial processes on lithic artifacts. In the fluvial-field experiment, 456 painted and measured replica lithic artifacts were placed in nine different ~scatters~ along the River Glenderamackin (UK), where river flow and animal activity were monitored for 18 months. Artifacts were visited at four different times and each time their locations, orientations, and physical conditions were recorded. The results showed that artifact movement depends on lithic morphology and discard location (in the river channel or on the banks), with vegetation and burial playing critical roles in inhibiting transport. Artifact transport also resulted in characteristic edge micro-flaking. In the tumbling barrel experiment, 188
stone leave fluvial process pleistocene northern europe explores effect fluvial process pleistocene lithic artifact assemblages northern_europe lithic artifact commonly_find within fluvial sediment indicate subject move flow incorporation may change morphology spatial context thereby obscure site interpretation well_document among numerous site worldwide study_report aim effect fluvial process lithic artifact fluvial field paint measure replica lithic artifact place different along river river flow animal activity monitor artifacts visit four_different time time location orientation physical condition record show artifact movement depend lithic morphology discard location river channel bank vegetation burial play critical role inhibit transport artifact transport also result characteristic edge micro