Identifying Silcrete Heat Treatment: A Queensland Perspective
Abstract
Heat treatment is the practice of thermally modifying physiochemical properties of rocks, such as silcrete, in the process of stone tool manufacture. Identifying this practice in the archaeological record can inform on resource procurement and risk management strategies, as well as regional diversification and convergent evolution of technology. However, standard detection techniques are inadequate for silcrete due to extensive variation in its natural properties, coupled with issues of equifinality due to post-depositional burning. To address this problem, an efficient visual classification method was combined with quantitative data from 3D scans to identify deliberate heat treatment. This presentation will outline the development and application of these methods on a diverse experimental sample as well as lithics from two important sites on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). This work represents the first application of these methods on material from Queensland. The patterns of silcrete heat treatment identified in the archaeological record indicate that regional patterns of lithic technology have varied throughout time to suit Australia’s everchanging environmental and cultural landscapes. The findings also demonstrate the effectiveness of simple, visual identifications and will stimulate more frequent consideration of the practice across a variety of research and heritage management contexts.
About the Presenter
Michael Manoel is a PhD student in Archaeology at the University of Queensland (and sometimes-host of this Working Paper series). He received undergraduate and Honours degrees from UQ prior to working in the commercial heritage management sector. Last year he commenced a PhD with a focus on global origins of complex projectiles. Michael’s primary areas of interest are lithic technology and experimental archaeology. This working paper is based on research undertaken for his Honours project, which contributed to a wider publication on early occupation of Australia’s eastern seaboard.
About Archaeology Working Papers
The Working Papers in Archaeology seminar series provides a forum for dissemination of archaeological research and ideas amongst UQ archaeology students and staff. All students are invited to attend the series and postgraduate students, from honours upwards, are invited to present their research. The aim is to provide opportunities for students, staff and those from outside UQ, to present and discuss their work in an informal environment. It is hoped that anyone interested in current archaeological directions, both within and outside the School and University, will be able to attend and contribute to the series.
