Figure - available from: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
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Lithics on the surface of the site. A and B Large engraving tools (cores) found underneath the panels; C and D remnants of flaking activities found between the rock spurs C and B. (Photo YHH)
Source publication
The Camel Site is in the north of Saudi Arabia in the province of al-Jawf. It is characterised by three decaying sandstone hillocks with life-sized 3D engravings (or reliefs) of camels and equids likely carved during later prehistory. A survey in the central area of the site identified clusters of flakes and other flintknapping remains in the lower...
Citations
The article describes an experimental study of the Trialeti petroglyphs, which is the first attempt to experimentally study this rock art site in Georgia. The presented research combines the fields of rock art, experimental archaeology, and traceology (use-wear analysis), enabling the determination of techniques, raw materials, and the time consumed for making engravings, as well as the identification of use-wear left on stone tools. During the research, 22 experimental petroglyphs were made, which were incised or scratched using flint and obsidian blades of different sizes and weights. After making experimental engravings, a use-wear analysis of the stone tools was conducted using a МБС-9 microscope. The article discusses the results of the research and explains the difference between the scratches produced by flint and obsidian tools, employing different techniques. It further explores the duration necessary to achieve an engraved image and what sort of traces are left on the stone tool after their utilization on the rock surface. Moreover, the article presents our observations and hypotheses formulated following the experimental study of the Trialeti petroglyphs.
