Ronè OBERHOLZER

Title

Hafting, glues and tool design. Case studies from South Africa

Summary

Ronè Oberholzer’s PhD focuses on MSA and LSA lithics from three South African sites: Diepkloof Rock shelter, Elands Bay cave and De Hangen. There are two main aims of this study; the first concerns chemical analysis of the objects while the second is focused on functional analysis.

The chemical analysis will be aimed at identifying adhesive compounds by using a non-destructive method. The chemical analysis of these compounds will also be used to create a reference library for compounds associated with various adhesives found in archaeological contexts. The archaeological samples will be analyzed with two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometer (GCxGC-MS) and the sample introduction will be non-destructive. Experimentally the efficiency and practicality of identified glue will be put to the test. This will also be applied to previously identified glue types within in Europe.

Functional analysis will be done on the pieces where residues/adhesives have been identified. This will be done to further investigate the association between use-wear traces, life histories of tools and adhesives. Special attention will be paid to all “geometric pieces” from Diepkloof Rock shelter. These pieces will be technologically and functionally analyzed. This will potentially provide more information on hafting practices and the identification thereof in the archaeological record.