Guangala Unearthed Use-wear Analysis & Experimental Archaeology in a Study of Ecuadorian Artifacts Stephanie Bohaczuk, Doris Chen, Raj Dave, Christopher.
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Guangala UnearthedUse-wear Analysis & Experimental
Archaeology in a Study of Ecuadorian Artifacts
Stephanie Bohaczuk, Doris Chen, Raj Dave, Christopher Geissler, Shriya Kaneriya,
Zachary Maher, Marie Smithgall, Meghan Sosnowski, Peiyi Su, Joanna Venator, Lucas Zavala
Advisor: Maria MasucciAssistant: Alison Koser
1. Figurina Antropomorfa Sedente [Internet]. 2007 June 15. Ecuador - Guayaquil. MAAC; [Cited 2008 30 July]. Available from: http://picasaweb.google.com/alfredo.campos/EcuadorGuayaquilMAAC/photo#5076828756071446578
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Past vs. Present• Past
– Morphological– Lack of scientific
methodology– Roots in humanities
• New technology
• Present 1
– Experimental– Archaeometry 1. Sutton MQ and Yohe Robert. 2007.
Archaeology: The Science of the Human Past, 3/E. Bakersfield (CA): Prentice Hall. Pg. 65-66.
Our Objectives
• Apply scientific method to Guangala artifacts• Three main artifact groups
– Shells– Ceramics– Stones
• Three main techniques – Microscopic analysis– Experimental replication– Use-wear studies
GUANGALA PHASE (500 B.C.-A.D.800) 1
A
1. Marcos JG. 1986. A Brief Prehistory of Ecuador. Quito (Ecuador): Corporación Editora Nacional
2. Ecuador Map [Internet]. [Updated 2006 December 11]. Washington D.C., US Central Intelligence Agency. [cited 2008 July 30]. Available from: http://www.geographicguide.net/america/ecuador.htm
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BACKGROUND- CULTURE
•Agriculture1
•Trade
2
1. Marcos JG. 1986. A Brief Prehistory of Ecuador. Quito (Ecuador): Corporación Editora Nacional
2. Anderson G. 2007. Marine Science. [Internet]. Santa Barbara, CA: [cited 2008 Jul 28]. Available from http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/
SHELL ARTIFACTS OBSERVED
Artifact S1: Found at shell-working site
Artifact S2: Found with burnt trash heap
So are all the striations a result of object use-wear or of natural processes?
Magnification 5x Magnification 5x
Experimental Shell Before Polishing
Original Artifact S1 Experimental Shell After Polishing
Magnification 5x Magnification 5x
Experimental Shell After Use on Manioc
Experimental Shell After Use on Oak
Magnification 5x Magnification 5x
SHELL: DISCUSSION
• Ineffective tool• Shell burnt • Natural growth
rings vs. man-made striations1
• Raw material valuable
• Ceremonial and/or monetary by experimentation2, 3
•Anderson G. 2007. Marine Science. [Internet]. Santa Barbara, CA: [cited 2008 Jul 28]. Available from http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/•Morris PA. 1966. A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Shells. Boston (MA): Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 258.•Marcos JG. 1986. A Brief Prehistory of Ecuador. Quito (Ecuador): Corporación Editora Nacional
Before After
1. López Varela SL, van Gijn A, Jacobs L. 2002. De-mystifying Pottery Production in the Maya Lowlands: Detection of Traces of Use-Wear on Pottery Sherds through Microscopic Analysis and Experimental Replication. Journal of Archaeological Science [Internet]. [cited 2008 Jul 28]; 29(10): 1133-1147. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WH8-46FS8RH-4/1/b5d45c7b4e9f23e5b83d6f3a4ca41b1fc
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Magnification 5x Magnification 5x
STONE “AXES”
• Sharpened against sandstone
• Experimented–Scraping–Slicing–Chopping
• Analyze under stereoscope
•Application of science to archaeology
• MAIN IDEA: MAIN IDEA: move past morphology into experimentation
•Complex SocietyComplex Society– TradingTrading– ResourcefulResourceful– AgriculturalAgricultural
•PoliticsPolitics–Foresting policy–Ethnic pride •Meggers BJ. 1966. Ancient Peoples and Places: Ecuador. New
York (NY): Frederick A. Praeger. p. 14-119.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSSchering-Plough Foundation
Novartis
The Dorr Foundation
The Jennifer A. Chalsty Foundation
The Edward W. and Stella C. Van Houten Memorial Fund
The Jewish Communal Fund
Laura and John Overdeck
Dr. Masucci
Ms. Alison Koser
Dr. Miyamoto
Dr. Quinn
Ms. Myrna Papier
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