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Investigating a 4000 year-old dolphin bone with embedded harpoon tip using X-ray Computed Microtomography


EMSL Project ID
49955

Abstract

We seek to characterize the three dimensional (3D) microstructure of a 4000 year-old stone harpoon fragment that is embedded in a dolphin bone. 3D imaging will be complemented with microbeam x-ray diffraction to reveal the crystalline phases present in the specimen. Although archaeologists infer direct hunting of marine mammals in antiquity based on indirect associations of hunting gear (harpoons, spear points, etc.) and animal bones in archaeological midden sites, finding direct evidence such as this is extraordinarily rare. The proposed study will add valuable information to our understanding of ancient human adaptations to maritime subsistence economies. We anticipate the results will be of interest to not only the scientific community but also to a public audience and will provide a valuable advertisement for EMSL's tomographic capabilities.

Project Details

Start Date
2017-06-22
End Date
2017-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Tamas Varga
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory