Into the Dust - Episode 11: Fancy Rocks!

Into the Dust Archaeology

Episode 11 – K for Knapping, Alfred Jewel, and Archaeology News

In this episode, Jason goes through 3 segments – The ABCs of Archaeology, Archaeology Porn, and Archaeology News
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2NIqH-qEpw&list=PLcH4-BWqVM6KHP2Ih6UEq4_G1qRq8MgSn&index=12

ABCs of Archaeology – K is Knapping

Wow, who knew we could learn so much from a bunch of old stone tools?! Knapping (silent K) is the art of shaping stone into (hopefully) useful tools. Why is it some important? Being able to identify worked stone is critical to dating very ancient artefacts, especially as stone tools were used by early humans (and even pre-human hominids) just about wherever they lived. Identifying worked stone sounds simple, but it takes some time to learn. You need two out of three of these features: (1) A striking platform (2) A bulb of percussion and (3) Ripples. Believe it or not, a lot of people still pursue knapping as a hobby or even artform today.

Sources

1. How to identify worked flint

o https://peterborougharchaeology.org/archaeology-skills-techniques/identification-of-knapped-flints/

o https://projects.digventures.com/spodden-valley/timeline/diary/how-to-tell-if-that-flint-tool-you-found-was-really-made-by-humans/

o https://www.cafg.net/docs/articles/FlintGuide.pdf

2. Flint knapping courses

o https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEReutMt8Is04N4UxGS6J1Vu1fmEkWK-I

o https://www.will-lord.co.uk/courses/flint-knapping-courses/

Archaeology Porn – The Alfred Jewel

The jewel of the collection at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, the Alfred Jewel is like nothing else you’ve ever seen. Luckily, this is one situation in which, regarding the history, I don’t have to keep saying “we just don’t know” over and over again. Between the written historical and archaeological evidence, combined with a good dose of common sense, we actually have a pretty good idea of what this thing is: an aestel, or pointer, to go along with a book King Alfred the Great of Wessex sent around to all the bishops of his kingdom. Let’s go through the evidence and admire this arresting and unusual artefact!

Archaeology News

Genetic tests of feral grapes om Rapa Nui / Easter Island are shedding light on its 19th century history and helping modern economic development. Meanwhile, some interesting new research demonstrates how we can wring new insights out of old artefacts using modern-day technology. However, I’m not sure I’m totally on board with the findings…

Sources:

· https://www.foodandwine.com/news/easter-island-vineyard-winery#:~:text=A%20diverse%20group%20of%20entrepreneurs,on%20the%20island's%20southwestern%20tip.

· https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0028825X.2024.2332117

· https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S03054403