What is use wear analysis?

Use-wear analysis, also known as microwear analysis, is a non-destructive technique for identifying microscopic wear traces that develop on the surfaces of used tools. Different contact materials and activities — such as woodworking, hide processing, plant working, or butchery — leave distinctive patterns of polish, striations, edge rounding, fractures, and residues. By studying these traces under magnification, we can reconstruct not only how tools were used but also aspects of their manufacture, hafting, handling, and post-depositional histories.

Application in FROM STONE TO HOME

We apply use-wear analysis to polished stone tools across the Eastern Mediterranean. This allows us to move beyond assumptions of function based on form and instead assess their actual use in everyday activities and ritual practices. By comparing archaeological specimens with experimental reference collections, we can identify the specific tasks for which different raw materials were chosen and evaluate the biographies of tools — whether they served briefly or remained in circulation for generations.

Workflow

The analysis begins with macroscopic examination to identify candidate tools, followed by low-power observations using a stereomicroscope (10–100x) to detect edge rounding, striations, or residues. High-power microscopy (50–500x) is then used to document micropolish, microfractures, and finer wear signatures. Silicone dental casts may be taken to preserve microscopic surfaces for further study. Data are compared against experimental reference collections, which include stone axes reproduced from different raw materials and used on clay, wood, cereals, bone, and hide.

Challenges and Solutions

Post-depositional processes such as heat exposure, encrustations, or surface weathering can obscure microwear traces. To mitigate this, we carefully select well-preserved artefacts, use meticulous cleaning protocols, and compare results with experimental tools subjected to similar conditions. This ensures a more reliable identification of use-related traces.

Outcome

Use-wear analysis provides a crucial “window into object histories.” It reveals hidden practices and materials invisible to the naked eye — from woodworking and hide processing to polishing or ritual treatment. Integrated with geochemical and mineralogical analyses, this approach enriches our understanding of how polished stone tools were produced, used, circulated, and valued in prehistoric communities.