Applying SEM to the study of use-wear on unmodified shell tools: an experimental approach

• We study the wear processes on unmodified shell tools basing on systematic SEM analysis.
• Experimental, sample preparation and microscopic observation procedures are presented.
• A selection of experimental results is described in detail and discussed.
• Archaeological examples from prehistoric sites are included as a pilot study.

Although in prehistoric archaeology the evidence provided by molluscs has often been studied, few works have focused on the functional analysis of shells as tools. A number of prehistoric sites around the world are producing evidence from retouched shells that indicates that they were used for certain operations. In recent years, several experimental studies have been conducted for the purpose of gaining insight into the processes involved in shell tool production and use. This paper focuses on the procedures and the preliminary results of a program of use-wear experiments based on SEM analysis, and corroborates that non-retouched shells can also yield interesting results and can be used as a reference against which archaeological materials can be compared.