Surface analyses of archaeological objects - Some new perspectives with Laser Scanning Microscopy

The development of computer-aided microscopy opens new opportunities for the documentation of anthropogenious surface modification of archaeological finds. Laser Scanning Microscopes contribute significantly to advances in quantifying the surface topography of objects, as is shown here on two kinds of human modified finds : The first example deals with cutmarks on animal bones, shown here on some very remarkable objects from the Middle Pleistocene site of Bilzingsleben. The main focus is on bones with regular engravings associated with intentional activity of early humans. Characterising the cuts this way reveals new indications of the amazing regularity, probably on every bone produced by the same cutting edge of a tool. Surface modifications of cutting edges on flint tools were also investigated, in order to differentiate possible usewear from sedimentological alteration. Measurment of roughness becomes possible within well-defined technical parameters. Given the technical potential of LSM there very promising data-based systems for quantifying modifications on both lithic artefacts and bones can be developed.Steguweit Leif. Surface analyses of archaeological objects - Some new perspectives with Laser Scanning Microscopy. In: Annales d'Université "Valahia" Târgovişte. Section d'Archéologie et d'Histoire, Tome 8-9, 2006. pp. 8-17