Experimental reconstruction of Late Neolithic local quartz exploitation patterns in the Arabian Gulf. New discoveries from Bahra 1, Kuwait, an Ubaid-related site

• Autores: Marcin Białowarczuk
• Localización: Paléorient, ISSN 0153-9345, Vol. 41, Nº. 2, 2015, págs. 71-84
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The Bahra 1 archaeological site in Kuwait is an interesting example of an Ubaid-related settlement specialized in the manufacture of shell adornments. Almost all the lithics discovered at the site are strongly related to this specialization. The lack of flint outcrops in the neighborhood of the site determined the use of diverse other stone materials. Quartz played an important role, exceeding 25% of the material set, but its specific properties make this stone extremely difficult to analyze. The best way is to carry out knapping experiments in order not only to better understand fracture mechanics of this specific material, but also to establish framework criteria for analyzing archaeological quartz remains. A typology of the quartz assemblage from Bahra 1 is presented in this article and a reconstruction of the exploitation method based on experimental archaeology, altogether with a preliminary interpretation of the role of quartz artifacts in the lithic industries at the site.