Poster Galway copy - University College Dublin · 2010-05-17 · Case studies The chaîne...
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Case studies The chaîne opératoires of the case studies’ assemblages will be analysed using the frameworks developed from the experimental work. The primary case study is a Later Mesolithic and Early Neolithic quartz scatter at Belderrig, Co. Mayo (Warren 2004). The second study focuses on a small quartz scatter from Lambay Island, Co. Dublin found during excavations of a Neolithic stone axe quarry (Cooney 2005). The third study will analyse the quartz component of the assemblage from the Neolithic palisaded enclosure site at Thornhill, Co. Londonderry (Logue 2003). Introduction The use of quartz for flaked stone tools was widespread in Irish prehistory but the perceived difficulites in analysis, and a traditional archaeological focus on flint, has led to the neglect of prehistoric quartz-use research. In order to remedy this, a PhD programme of analysis of quartz lithic technology, based on experimental quartz knapping, is currently being undertaken at the UCD School of Archaeology. Project’s Goals 1. To provide a general overview of the extent of quartz use in Ireland. 2. To develop analytical frameworks for this material through experimental knapping. 3. To test these frameworks through exploring the chaîne opératoires of the selected case studies. These frameworks will enable the archaeological community to have a readily accessible, common set of general principles and analytical tools to facilitate and enhance research agendas involving quartz. Methodology The chaîne opératoire is a methodology for analysing an artefact’s operational sequences, with an explicit focus on the social factors involved. This diagram shows the possible sequences as seen in the archaeological record, highlighting the myriad of possibilities even at this basic level of representation. The methods used in assessing the chaîne opératoires of the case studies’ assemblages are refitting and attribute analysis. The first stage, however, is to assess the fracture mechanics of the quartz, as this will influence the possible chaîne opératoires. Experimental knapping The experimmental knapping involves devising a set of experiments to assess the fracture mechanics of quartz while using various knapping methods and techniques.This will produce an experimental assemblage which will form the basis of a core and debitage typology. The case studies’ assemblages will then be analysed using the core and debitage typology, with further experimentation conducted to answer questions as they may arise during the analysis. Experimental quartz knapping EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY Understanding quartz lithic technology in early prehistoric Ireland Killian Driscoll, UCD School of Archaeology References Cooney, G. 2005. Lambay Island. Excavations.ie. 08/03/05. http://www.excavations.ie/Pages/Details.php?Year=&County=Dublin&id=2336. Logue, P. 2003. Excavations at Thornhill, Co. Londonderry. In I. Armit, E. Murphy, E. Nelis and D. Simpson (ed.s), Neolithic Settlement in Ireland and Western Brit- ain. Oxford, Oxbow: 149-55. Warren, G. 2004. Belderrig Quartz Scatter: Interim 2004, Dept. of Archaeology, University College Dublin. Acknowledgments This PhD project is funded by The Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Thank you to: Torben Ballin, Mary Cahill and the Duty Officers at the National Museum, Dublin, Gabriel Cooney, Thomas Kador, Kjel Knutsson, Julian Menuge, Clare Mullins, Kim Rice, and Farina Sternke, for their respective help; and finally, my supervisor, Graeme Warren for his support and advice. For further information For an online PDF-version of this poster: http://www.ucd.ie/archdata/research/phd/driscoll_killian/index.html Please contact: The School of Archaeology, UCD, or [email protected] Quartz: Belderrig excavation Quartz vein, Belderrig, Co. Mayo
Transcript of Poster Galway copy - University College Dublin · 2010-05-17 · Case studies The chaîne...
Case studiesThe chaîne opératoires of the case studies’ assemblages will be analysed using the frameworks developed from the experimental work.
The primary case study is a Later Mesolithic and Early Neolithic quartz scatter at Belderrig, Co. Mayo (Warren 2004). The second study focuses on a smallquartz scatter from Lambay Island, Co. Dublin found during excavations of a Neolithic stone axe quarry (Cooney 2005).The third study will analyse the quartz component of the assemblage fromthe Neolithic palisaded enclosure site at Thornhill, Co. Londonderry (Logue 2003).
IntroductionThe use of quartz for flaked stone tools was widespread in Irish prehistory but the perceived difficulites in analysis, anda traditional archaeological focus on flint, has led to the neglect of prehistoric quartz-use research. In order to remedy this, a PhD programme of analysisof quartz lithic technology, based on experimental quartz knapping, is currently being undertaken at the UCD School of Archaeology.
Project’s Goals1. To provide a general overview of the extent of quartz use in Ireland.
2. To develop analytical frameworks for this material through experimental knapping.
3. To test these frameworks through exploring the chaîne opératoires of the selected case studies.
These frameworks will enable the archaeological community to have a readily accessible, common set of general principles and analytical tools to facilitate and enhance research agendas involving quartz.
MethodologyThe chaîne opératoire is a methodology for analysing an artefact’s operational sequences, with an explicit focus on the social factors involved. This diagram shows the possible sequences as seen in the archaeological record, highlighting the myriad of possibilities even at this basic level of representation.
The methods used in assessing the chaîne opératoires of the case studies’ assemblages are refitting and attribute analysis.
The first stage, however, is to assess the fracture mechanics of the quartz, as this will influence the possible chaîne opératoires.
Experimental knappingThe experimmental knapping involves devising a set of experiments to assess the fracture mechanics of quartz while using various knapping methods and techniques.This will produce an experimental assemblage which will form the basis of a core anddebitage typology.
The case studies’ assemblages will then be analysed using the core and debitage typology, with further experimentation conducted to answer questions as they may arise during the analysis.
Experimental quartz knapping
EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGYUnderstanding quartz lithic technology in
early prehistoric IrelandKillian Driscoll, UCD School of Archaeology
ReferencesCooney, G. 2005. Lambay Island. Excavations.ie. 08/03/05. http://www.excavations.ie/Pages/Details.php?Year=&County=Dublin&id=2336.Logue, P. 2003. Excavations at Thornhill, Co. Londonderry. In I. Armit, E. Murphy, E. Nelis and D. Simpson (ed.s), Neolithic Settlement in Ireland and Western Brit-ain. Oxford, Oxbow: 149-55.Warren, G. 2004. Belderrig Quartz Scatter: Interim 2004, Dept. of Archaeology, University College Dublin.
AcknowledgmentsThis PhD project is funded by The Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Thank you to: Torben Ballin, Mary Cahill and the Duty Officers at the National Museum, Dublin, Gabriel Cooney, Thomas Kador, Kjel Knutsson, Julian Menuge, Clare Mullins, Kim Rice, and Farina Sternke, for their respective help; and finally, my supervisor, Graeme Warren for his support and advice.
For further informationFor an online PDF-version of this poster: http://www.ucd.ie/archdata/research/phd/driscoll_killian/index.html
Please contact: The School of Archaeology, UCD, or [email protected]
Quartz:Belderrig excavationQuartz vein, Belderrig, Co. Mayo
