Dries Cnuts
Université de Liège, Préhistoire, Post-Doc
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for... more
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for their recurrent adoption by prehistoric populations. Whether MSA points represent a good proxy to identify populations and to discuss their interconnectedness is a question to address at several scales of observation. In this paper, we develop an approach on technological point production based on the collections from Bushman Rock Shelter (Limpopo Province, South Africa), relying on a combined study of technology and tool use. The large-scale comparison of our results with other MIS 5 occurrences in southern African show similar technological and use-wear patterns, indicating regionally-specific features. We emphasize the limits of current knowledge and the future research goals to be developed in order to better serve the interpretation of cultural contacts or convergent evolutions between ancient groups during this period of the MSA.
Research Interests:
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for... more
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for their recurrent adoption by prehistoric populations. Whether MSA points represent a good proxy to identify populations and to discuss their interconnectedness is a question to address at several scales of observation. In this paper, we develop an approach on technological point production based on the collections from Bushman Rock Shelter (Limpopo Province, South Africa), relying on a combined study of technology and tool use. The large-scale comparison of our results with other MIS 5 occurrences in southern African show similar technological and use-wear patterns, indicating regionally-specific features. We emphasize the limits of current knowledge and the future research goals to be developed in order to better serve the interpretation of cultural contacts or convergent evolutions between ancient groups during this period of the MSA.
Research Interests:
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for... more
Edge convergence, which is typical for pointed tools, is a major morphological feature contributing to the definition of the African Middle Stone Age (MSA). The multifaceted character of points might be the key to their success and for their recurrent adoption by prehistoric populations. Whether MSA points represent a good proxy to identify populations and to discuss their interconnectedness is a question to address at several scales of observation. In this paper, we develop an approach on technological point production based on the collections from Bushman Rock Shelter (Limpopo Province, South Africa), relying on a combined study of technology and tool use. The large-scale comparison of our results with other MIS 5 occurrences in southern African show similar technological and use-wear patterns, indicating regionally-specific features. We emphasize the limits of current knowledge and the future research goals to be developed in order to better serve the interpretation of cultural contacts or convergent evolutions between ancient groups during this period of the MSA.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology and Geology
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The use of glues for stone tool hafting is an important innovation in human evolution. Compared to other organic remains, glues are preserved more frequently, though mainly in small spots. Reliable identification requires chemical... more
The use of glues for stone tool hafting is an important innovation in human evolution. Compared to other organic remains, glues are preserved more frequently, though mainly in small spots. Reliable identification requires chemical molecular characterization, which is tra- ditionally performed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Current methods of extraction and derivatization prior to GC–MS are destructive and require relatively large samples, which is problematic for prehistoric glue residues. In this paper, we discuss the results of an experimental study using a new method (HS-SPME GC×GC–HRTOFMS) that proves effective for identifying small quantities of compound glues. The method is non-destructive with an improved sensitivity in comparison to traditional GC–MS, and it has a high potential for prehistoric samples.