Work

Exploring Use‐Wear Texture Quantification Through Confocal Microscopy on Tools Made From Volcanic Rocks (Basalt and Phonolite)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Functional analysis is essential for reconstructing lithic tool use. Recent approaches combining confocal microscopy and surface texture analysis provide quantitative alternatives to traditional visual use‐wear analysis, although their application to coarse‐grained, heterogeneous rocks remains challenging because of their complex surface microtopography. This study addresses these limitations through an exploratory experimental framework focused on basalt and phonolite tools used on different contact materials and motions. Classification improved when analyses targeted the amorphous matrix, used higher magnification objectives, intermediate measurement areas (100 × 100 μm), standard filtering and sufficient surface samples per tool. Despite some overlap among categories, the results provide methodological guidance for quantitative texture analysis of volcanic rocks.

Source: Archaeometry

DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70224

Authors: Idaira Brito‐Abrante, Amelia Rodríguez‐Rodríguez, Juan José Ibáñez

Institutions: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Institución Milá y Fontanals de Investigación en Humanidades

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350

Funders: European Commission, Fondation Fyssen, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Agencia Estatal de Investigación