LegioLit: Knappable material lithotheque in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León, Spain
Open Access
- 15 December 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Edinburgh University Library in Journal of Lithic Studies
- Vol. 5 (2)
- https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.2926
Abstract
This work introduces a comparative collection located in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León (Spain) specialised in knappable raw materials, mainly comprising radiolarite and black chert (micro-crypto crystalline quartz), from the western Cantabrian Mountains (north of Iberian Peninsula). A standardised protocol of sample collection and data organisation was developed, which includes the use of several methodologies. First, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for referencing lithic sources. Second, direct observation of the sample for the macroscopic characterization, both de visu and stereomicroscope. Third, petrographic microscopy for a description of main petrological, and palaeontological features, complemented with the identification of the different minerals that make up the samples by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Forth, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Thermogravimetry – Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) for geochemical and thermal features of the samples. Finally, the results of these analyses were entered in a database. All this information is contributing towards the creation of a physical reference collection specialised in local Palaeozoic formations (mostly from Devonian to Carboniferous) that outcrop in the western Cantabrian Mountains, a region whose potential resource base was previously not very well known. This collection would allow to compare archaeological lithic remains from different sites inside and outside the Cantabrian Mountains.This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
- Presenting LusoLit: A lithotheque of knappable raw materials from central and southern PortugalJournal of Lithic Studies, 2016
- Chert from the Vegamián Formation: A new raw-material supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistoryJournal of Lithic Studies, 2016
- The Escalada Formation: Characterization of a potential chert supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory.Journal of Lithic Studies, 2016
- The Mesolithic with geometrics south of the ‘Picos de Europa’ (Northern Iberian Peninsula): The main characteristics of the lithic industry and raw material procurementQuaternary International, 2016
- Flint as raw material in prehistoric times: Cantabrian Mountain and Western Pyrenees dataQuaternary International, 2015
- Neolithic Flint Mines of Treviño (Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Western Pyrenees, Spain)Journal of Lithic Studies, 2014
- “Mucientes Chert” in the Northern Iberian Plateau (Spain)Journal of Lithic Studies, 2014
- The LithicUB project: A virtual lithotheque of siliceous rocks at the University of BarcelonaJournal of Lithic Studies, 2014