Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Overview
31% of the objects found in J6 are lithic artifacts (175). In this section lithic artifacts are classified according to their function. Some of them are described in other sections (seals and beads). In J6 lithic artifacts are ground stones, loom wheights, polishing stones, chipped stones and other unidentified objects. Lithic specimens are not artefacts, but stone fragments or unworked stones.
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Ground stones
Ground stones are all artifacts made from stones with a coarse structure, ideal for grinding other materials (grinding stones, mortars and pestles) or large stationary objects such as door sockets. The material recorded in J6 for ground stones is basalt and limestone.
Such objects could have been reused for other functions and were remodelled. For example, the presence of a hole in a large grindstone suggests a secondary use as a door socket.
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Grinding stones and mortars
33 Objects are recorded in J6 as grinding stones. Grinding stones are generally large oval shaped stone tools, with a light concave top and a convex bottom. The upper side was used to grind plants or seeds with another smaller grind stone. Example of grinding stones are q105.2 and q218.5.
Mortars are also grinding stones, but they are smaller and can be carried by hand. They have a defined circular cavity on the upper side, and some of them have traces of abrasion on the surface. Examples of mortars are q311.2, q50.1, q83.1, q153.3 and q172.3.
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Pestle
13 Pestles are recorded in J6. Pestles are shaped so that the object can be held in one hand. The shape recorded is round, oval or cylindrical, with rounded and smoothed edges. Examples of pestles are:
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Door sockets
13 door sockets were recorded in J6. Door sockets are a part of architecture but in J6 they were found in accumulations and fills, without their primary contexts. They are large limestone or basalt items, round, oval or irregular rectangular in shape, with a hole approximately in the centre, but the the hole may also be on the side. In the hole are often visible traces of abrasions created by the door pivot. In some cases are reused grinding stones (q59.1, q119.1).
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Loom wheights
In J6 we recorded 4 perforated pebble stones between about 5 and 12 cm in diameter: q352.1, q332.1, q373.1, q376.2. These objects are interpreted as loom wheights. q271.1 was recorded as a mace, but it could have been used also as a wheight.
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Polishing stones
I define polishing stones all objects shaped to handle with one hand. The type of stone is relatively hard (granite, limestone) and the object has a smooth and polished surface. The form varies between irregular cubic (q79.2, q471.2) to irregular rectangular (q245.2, q203.1) and triangular (q232.4).
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Ax
Only one object is recorded as ax. q113.2 is the head of a granite ax, long oval in form, smoothed and polished, with rounded edges.
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Other
Back to top: Lithics from Unit J6
Chipped stones
Chipped stones are small worked stones made from obsidian (17 items) or flint (17 items). The presented below objects are all retouched and formed as blades, arrows or scrapers.
Obsidian blades and scrapers are:
obsidian arrows are:
flint or not identified stone blades are: