Alfred Pawlik
Alfred Pawlik is a professor at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the Ateneo de Manila University. He researches on the archaeology of Southeast Asia, the anthropology of hunter-gatherers and forager/farmer interaction and past human behaviour. He obtained a doctoral degree in Prehistory from the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Tübingen in 1995 and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Tübingen, German Research Foundation (DFG), Institute of Palaeohistory and Quaternary Ecology, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and Faculty of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Austria. He is currently heading the TRACES Laboratory, the Anthropological and Sociological Initiatives at the Ateneo (ASIA), and is the lead investigator of the Comparative Archaeological and Ethnographic Investigation of the Early Human Journey to the Asia Pacific at the Ateneo de Manila University.
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Papers by Alfred Pawlik
Chapter 11, in: R. Dennell and M. Porr (Eds.) 2014, Southern Asia, Australasia and the search for modern human origins, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 135-147.
and origin of organic residues appearing on many used tools could be identified as remnants of birch tar through the aid of a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX). Obviously, the tar was used as an adhesive for composite tools to fix the lithic implements with their shafts. The majority of tasks performed at the Ullafelsen site was associated with the repair and maintenance of the hunting gear, i. e. hafting-and-retooling processes. The correlation of use-wear analysis with the spatial distribution of the stone tools allowed the identification of several different functional areas at the site.
http://australianarchaeology.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/AAA_ASHA2014-Conference-Handbook-Final.pdf
Authors: Andrea Yates, Andrew M.Smith, Fiona Bertuch, Birgit Gehelen, Bernhard Gramsch, Martin Heinen, Anja Scheffers, Jeffey Parr, Alfred Pawlik, Renaud Joannes Boyau
ABSTRACT: AMS radiocarbon dating of archaeological residues on a carbon microgram scale is a relatively new field in archaeological chronometric research. Successful applications of the method demonstrate its feasibility when working with such small sample sizes, but also reveal challenges and problems arising around contamination. In this paper we present a case study on testing the feasibility of radiocarbon-dating putative adhesive and wooden residues from archaeological stone tools which contain also contaminants. Methods applied include: (1) optical residue interpretation; and (2) experimental designs in which we address contamination by testing the affectivity of removal techniques. Furthermore, we examine how SEM -EDX analyses assists in residue interpretation, conducted as the final step to avoid sample contamination during analyses. Even though this methodological sequence was in general successful in dating some lithic residues within the anticipated age range, difficulties were encountered with other artefacts. We found that the alkaline surfactant Decon 90 is a useful solution for the removal of skin scales and fabric fibre but has limited effect on graphite contamination, introduced by pencil lead. While some artefact residues attained AMS dates which appear effected by modern contaminants, other residue radiocarbon dates were seemingly affected by fossil shell derived from flint stone, plasticizers, graphite or from a fixative substance older than fabrication and use of the artefact. One outcome from this study is that early non-destructive residue identification in the method sequence would guide the choice of residue treatment and improve the reliability of the age determination. Specific sampling protocols, would assist in enhancing residue AMS dating.
Authors: Andrea Bettina Yates, Andrew M. Smith, Fiona Bertuch, Birgit Gehlen, Bernhard Gramsch, Martin Heinen, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Anja Scheffers, Jeffrey Parr, Alfred Pawlik
Abstract: The study presents and evaluates a process to enhance residue AMS radiocarbon dating with a focus on contaminant confinement. Methods applied include 1) optical residue and use-wear analyses, 2) experimental designs addressing cleaning treatments to mitigate impact of contaminants, 3) preparation and extraction of residues from (mostly) previously dated stone artefacts, and 4) establishing the elemental characteristics of residues by using SEM/EDX as a final step to avoid sample contamination during analyses. The alkaline surfactant Decon 90, 2% diluted proved useful for the removal of skin scales and fabric fibre but effects on graphite contamination introduced by pencil lead were more limited. A number of artefact residues were dated within the anticipated age range, while other stone tools residues attained AMS dates which appear to be affected by modern contaminants or by fossil shell derived from flint stone, plasticizers or from a fixative substance older than the fabrication and use of the artefact. Chemical residue identification early on in the method sequence, using non-destructive and non-contaminating methods would guide the choice of residue treatment and improve reliability of age determination.