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
Website: www.intothedustarchaeology.com/
Patreon: www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology
Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/3q009WB...
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 peterborougharchaeology.org/a...
o projects.digventures.com/spod...
o www.cafg.net/docs/articles/Fl...
2. Flint knapping courses
o • FlintKnapping Videos
o www.will-lord.co.uk/courses/f...
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:
• www.foodandwine.com/news/east....
• www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...
• www.sciencedirect.com/science...
Time stamps:
0:00: Introduction to knapping
2:13: Why do archaeologists care about stone tools? Dating!
4:08: Stone tool seriations
4:37: Types of stone tools
5:05: Why it’s difficult to recognize naturally broken stones
6:23: How to recognize worked stone tools
8:48: Modern day flint knappers
9:27: Flint knapping is COMPLICATED!
10:19: Introduction to the Alfred Jewel
11:13: Techniques used to make the Alfred Jewel
13:47: Where the Jewel came from
14:36: Interpreting the Alfred Jewel - the inscription
16:17: Written evidence from the reign of Alfred
18:00: Alfred’s preface to Pastoral Care
21:29: The find site - another clue?
22:33: The image on the face of the Alfred Jewel and the Fuller Brooch
23:39: Outstanding questions - some doubts on the interpretation
24:57: Is the figure on the Alfred Jewel actually Alexander the Great?
26:42: Conclusion
27:31 - Introduction
27:44 - Wine-making on Rapa Nui
30:59 - Modern research on Rapa Nui’s grapes
32:21 - Globalization of the wine industry
33:18 - History of an ancient bear bone from a cave in Poland
34:48 - The new research done on the bone
36:12 - Findings of the study
36:53 - Criticisms of the paper
39:27 - Conclusions
#archaeology #ancienthistory #medieval