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Experimental artefacts in research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology: a standardised terminology and registry code based on alpha-taxonomy and the chaîne opératoire

  • Identification data

    Identifier: imarina:5129590
    Authors:
    Hortolà, P.
    Abstract:
    In research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology, terms such as 'replica', 'reproduction' or 'imitation' are still used as generic labels for (non-original) experimental objects, their intended meaning becoming potentially confusing. Because the implementation of a standard terminology is required in order to allow individuals involved in research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology to speak the same language, an experimental artefact terminology, based on alpha-taxonomy and the chaîne opératoire, is presented. In this terminology, alpha-taxonomy takes into account three stages of the operational scheme of the chaîne opératoire as couplets: (1) the raw material used, (2) the method employed for shaping a given object, and (3) its resulting final shape. Additionally, a registry code suitable for labelling experimental artefacts is also presented. Although the lexicon presented in this paper does not intend to solve all the problems related to experimental artefacts in prehistoric and aboriginal technology, it represents a user-friendly approach to experimental realities, by establishing a shared language¿which, to date, has still not been implemented¿for experimental items. While this terminology and code system are primarily addressed to prehistoric and aboriginal technologists concerned with experimental work, they are equally relevant to museum curators and can also be of value to individuals involved in many other human endeavours, from the contemporary-art trade to the mechanics industry.
  • Others:

    Author, as appears in the article.: Hortolà, P.
    Department: Història i Història de l'Art
    URV's Author/s: Hortolà i Gómez, Policarp
    Keywords: Western cape Use-wear analysis Use-wear Traceologia Stone-age sequence Southeast-asia Residus orgànics Residue analysis Raw-material Prehistoric archaeology Material culture Knowledge Identification Diepkloof rock shelter Cultura material Conservation science Chaine-operatoire approach Art Arqueologia prehistòrica Antropologia aborigen Aboriginal anthropology
    Abstract: In research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology, terms such as 'replica', 'reproduction' or 'imitation' are still used as generic labels for (non-original) experimental objects, their intended meaning becoming potentially confusing. Because the implementation of a standard terminology is required in order to allow individuals involved in research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology to speak the same language, an experimental artefact terminology, based on alpha-taxonomy and the chaîne opératoire, is presented. In this terminology, alpha-taxonomy takes into account three stages of the operational scheme of the chaîne opératoire as couplets: (1) the raw material used, (2) the method employed for shaping a given object, and (3) its resulting final shape. Additionally, a registry code suitable for labelling experimental artefacts is also presented. Although the lexicon presented in this paper does not intend to solve all the problems related to experimental artefacts in prehistoric and aboriginal technology, it represents a user-friendly approach to experimental realities, by establishing a shared language¿which, to date, has still not been implemented¿for experimental items. While this terminology and code system are primarily addressed to prehistoric and aboriginal technologists concerned with experimental work, they are equally relevant to museum curators and can also be of value to individuals involved in many other human endeavours, from the contemporary-art trade to the mechanics industry.
    Thematic Areas: Historia Geosciences, multidisciplinary Geociências Ciencias sociales Ciencias humanas Archeology (arts and humanities) Archeology Archaeology Antropologia / arqueologia Antropología Anthropology
    licence for use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/
    Author's mail: policarp.hortola@urv.cat
    Author identifier: 0000-0003-2867-6531
    Record's date: 2024-09-07
    Papper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion
    Link to the original source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-016-0332-1
    Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/
    Papper original source: Archaeological And Anthropological Sciences. 10 (1): 31-40
    APA: Hortolà, P. (2018). Experimental artefacts in research on prehistoric and aboriginal technology: a standardised terminology and registry code based on alpha-taxonomy and the chaîne opératoire. Archaeological And Anthropological Sciences, 10(1), 31-40. DOI: 10.1007/s12520-016-0332-1
    Article's DOI: 10.1007/s12520-016-0332-1
    Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
    Journal publication year: 2018
    Publication Type: Journal Publications
  • Keywords:

    Anthropology,Archaeology,Archeology,Archeology (Arts and Humanities),Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
    Western cape
    Use-wear analysis
    Use-wear
    Traceologia
    Stone-age sequence
    Southeast-asia
    Residus orgànics
    Residue analysis
    Raw-material
    Prehistoric archaeology
    Material culture
    Knowledge
    Identification
    Diepkloof rock shelter
    Cultura material
    Conservation science
    Chaine-operatoire approach
    Art
    Arqueologia prehistòrica
    Antropologia aborigen
    Aboriginal anthropology
    Historia
    Geosciences, multidisciplinary
    Geociências
    Ciencias sociales
    Ciencias humanas
    Archeology (arts and humanities)
    Archeology
    Archaeology
    Antropologia / arqueologia
    Antropología
    Anthropology
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