[Bonetools] SEM work on bones

[Natacha Buc]

Hi Sian and everyone!
 
There are several works on SEM analysis. Including this one on digging tools:
Possible evidence of bone tool shaping by Swartkrans early hominids. D’Errico, F. and L. R. Backwell. Journal of Archaeological Science 30 (2003) 1559–1576
 
For my experience, E SEM (Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope) is a good microscope. Contrary to SEM, ESEM acts with water vapor so it is used for biological samples (maybe it is similar to the one Karl talks), in our case it means that you don't need to make replicas, but sometimes the problem is with the chamber's size. Magnifications will vary according to your interests, but in my experience and from the literature, 100-200x are most common. 
As far as traces: SEM doesn't use incidental light so you can't see polishes, you will see smoothed surfaces insted. By other hand, SEM offers better images than incidental microscopes, but lacks field depht. In my opinion it is great for seeing striations in great detail. 
 
Well, if you need more information, may be I can help you...
Best from Buenos Aires,
Natacha. 



> Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:17:18 +0100> From: info at knochenarbeit.de> To: sian.beecroft at virgin.net; bonetools at listserv.iif.hu> Subject: Re: [Bonetools] SEM work on bones> > Dear Sian,> > Haskel Greenfield has published several papers on the SEM analysis of > cut marks on bones you might take into account. Look here > http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~greenf/insideframes/HaskelGreenfieldCV.htm#_Toc102200206> > Sandra Olsen has published a volume about SEM technology in archaeology:> OLSEN, SANDRA L. (ed.): Scanning Electron Microscopy in Archaeology, > British Archaeological Reports International Series 452, 287-301, Oxford> > And Isabelle Sidera and Eva David will probably have lots of experiences > to share either.> > Best> > Christian> > -- > KNOCHENARBEIT> > Hans Christian Küchelmann> Diplom-Biologe> > Konsul-Smidt-Str. 30, D-28217 Bremen, Germany> tel: +421 - 61 99 177> fax: +421 - 37 83 540> mail: info at knochenarbeit.de> web: http://www.knochenarbeit.de> > -----> > Sian Beecroft schrieb:> > Dear all,> > > > I wonder if you can help me? > > > > I'm doing my PhD on the faunal remains from the Bronze Age Copper mines > > at Great Orme (you might remember me from the Paris conference!). Among > > the 30,000 bone fragments are a few thousand cattle bone tools (mostly > > long bones, ribs and scapula - but not many metapodials). I'm hoping to > > conduct an experiment digging with some modern cattle bones then using a > > SEM to compare the results from my experiment to the archaeological > > artefacts.> > > > I have no experience using a SEM, but one of my tutors is confident > > using it on metal objects. We would be very greatful if anyone could > > suggest the best machine to use (we have access to different types) and > > what magnification should we expect to find use-wear evidence on the > > ends of the bones, or perhaps polish where the bone is held?> > > > I hope this makes sense!> > > > It was great to meet you all in Paris, I learnt a lot!> > > > Thanks,> > > > Sian> > > > _______________________________________________> Bonetools mailing list> Bonetools at listserv.iif.hu> http://listserv.niif.hu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/bonetools
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