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Experimental Heating of Moravian Cherts and its Implication for Palaeolithic Chipped Stone Assemblages
Author(s) -
Moník M.,
Nerudová Z.,
Schnabl P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12356
Subject(s) - remanence , geology , archaeology , natural remanent magnetization , magnetization , mineralogy , paleontology , geography , magnetic field , physics , quantum mechanics
The applicability of colour, magnetic susceptibility and remanent magnetization measurements for the identification of heated or accidentally burned Palaeolithic cherts from Moravia (Czech Republic) is tested in this study. We conclude that all these methods are usable. Colour changes are best detectable in materials heated at between 250–350°C, while magnetic susceptibility and remanent magnetization change at higher temperatures, closer to 600°C. This latter temperature, however, is usually destructive for cherts and is probably evidenced by accidentally burned artefacts. With the use of the three methods, we managed to identify three probably heated chert artefacts from two early Upper Palaeolithic assemblages from Moravia.