Use-Wear and Residue Analysis in Archeology

In October 2012, the University of Algarve organized the lnternational Conference on Use-Wear Analysis- USE- WEAR 2012. One main aspect became clear during the meeting: the field was growing ata very high rate, seen by the large number ofvery young researchers, many working in their MA or Ph.D.s, and thus attesting the clear and unequivocal increasing interest in use-wear and residue analysis. The consequence of this fact was bipolar: 1. A new scientific institution was constituted during the meeting- the Association of Archaeological Wear and Residue Analysts (AWRANA) aiming to bring together experts in the research dealing with the analyses of functional and modification of ali archeological artefacts, including lithics, faunal remains, metals, and ceramics among others. One ofthe responsibilities ofthis new association is to organize a periodical conference following the general lines of that of Faro; 2. The need of a handbook on use-wear and residue analysis, since those published volumes on the topic are mostly geared for presenting research results or, more rarely, to publish new technological or methodological developments in the field. The young researchers present in the Faro meeting, in general, felt that there was a need for a manual with basic information on many aspects of theory and method and, if possible, with specific information on how to analyze, a hands-on approach, so young students could either alone or supervised by their professors, start use--wear and residue analysis. Following our own feelings and to fulfill this gap, we contacted a series of researchers, both at the meeting and outside, and started to put together the present Handbook of Use Wear and Residue Analysis in Archeology, that Springer swiftly accepted to pubhsh after the traditional formal review process.Peer reviewe