YouTube Live Talk for June 2023 Western Cape Branch
Please follow this link on Tuesday 13th June at 18:30 SAST.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMTkYWvWqAI
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https://www.youtube.com/@SAArchaeologicalSocietyTalks/streams

Note the link is private to members who receive it only and will not be available after the talk is completed as Alessandro is including some unpublished results - don't miss the live talk!
Once his results are published we will publish the talk on our YouTube Channel.

Title: A multidisciplinary approach for the study of hafted stone tools from Steenbokfontein Cave (South Africa)

By: Alessandro Aleo

Abstract: Ancient glues used to haft tools are the oldest known highly complex technology. Evidence of different compound resin-based adhesives is present in South Africa at least from 65.000 years ago. At Steenbokfontein Cave, Western Cape (SA), 30 stone tools with mastic residues from all stratigraphic units were reported. Our analysis is concerned with reconstructing the life history of these objects with glue remains. The Steenbokfontein tools are studied through the wear patterns and microscopic remains (residues) left after production, use, and deposition. This traceology approach allows us to determine for what stone tools were used and if they were hafted with adhesives. However, chemical analysis is needed to identify adhesives composition. Therefore, the residues on the stone tools are analysed with spectrographic methods such as XRD, micro-FTIR, and GC-MS to reconstruct the inorganic and organic components of the adhesives. By analysing the Steenbokfontein tools we lay the groundwork to illuminate regional and geographical continuity of adhesive technology during the South African Stone Age.

 

Background: Alessandro holds a master's degree in Quaternary, Prehistory and Archaeology. Since 2019 he has been a PhD candidate at Delft University of Technology and Leiden University (NL). His research is part of the ERC project Ancient Adhesives: A Window on Prehistoric Technological Complexity. Alessandro's research project focuses on recreating the life history of (pre)historic adhesives and their tools to better understand cultural and technological developments among hunter-gatherer societies.