An experimental examination of animal trampling in dry and saturated substrates: a test case from South India

Eren, Metin I., Durant, Adam, Neudorf, Christina, Haslam, Michael, Shipton, Ceri, Bora, Janardhana, Korisettar, Ravi and Petraglia, Michael (2010) An experimental examination of animal trampling in dry and saturated substrates: a test case from South India. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37 12: 3010-3021.


Author Eren, Metin I.
Durant, Adam
Neudorf, Christina
Haslam, Michael
Shipton, Ceri
Bora, Janardhana
Korisettar, Ravi
Petraglia, Michael
Title An experimental examination of animal trampling in dry and saturated substrates: a test case from South India
Journal name Journal of Archaeological Science  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2010-12
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.jas.2010.06.024
Volume number 37
Issue number 12
ISSN 0305-4403;1095-9238
Start page 3010
End page 3021
Total pages 12
Place of publication London, United Kingdom
Publisher Academic Press
Language eng
Abstract This paper presents the motivation, procedures, and results of an experiment that examines short episodes of animal trampling in dry and water saturated substrates in South India. While horizontal artifact displacement was similar to that modeled by other trampling experiments, vertical artifact displacement in water saturated substrates was greater than any reported experiment to date. The toolstone used in this experiment, a silicious limestone, exhibited minimal damage after trampling. Artifact inclination patterning appeared to be a potentially diagnostic middle-range marker of trampling in water saturated substrates. Given the abundant number of Paleolithic sites that are located on flat, open surfaces near water-bodies, or experience monsoonal climatic regimes, we propose that future excavations should measure artifact inclination on a regular basis.
Keyword Artifact movement
Experimental archaeology
Formation theory
Goats
Hoof-prints
India
Trampling
Water buffalo
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collection: School of Social Science Publications
 
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