Natural Science in Archaeology

List of Figures
1.1 Georgius Agricola, author of De Natura Fossilium, the
leading book on mineralogy at the end of the Middle Ages .............13
1.2 Al-Biruni, author of the Book of Precious Stones, was the
most infl uential Islamic scholar of his time ............................14
2.1 Petrographic thin-section of a quartzite used as a lithic tool
in Paleolithic France ..................................................23
2.2 The author using a jolly balance ......................................26
2.3 The wave nature of light ..............................................28
2.4 Types of electromagnetic radiation ....................................29
2.5 Wavelengths of light in the visible spectrum ...........................29
2.6 Atomic structure of iron ..............................................31
2.7 Electron jumps producing light rays (photons) .........................32
2.8 Periodic Table of the elements ........................................34
2.9 Graphite’s deep black, opaque appearance is the result of
its atomic bonding ....................................................37
2.10 A Structure of halite, NaCl. B Vacancies in halite crystals ..............39
2.11 A Fluorescence. B Thermoluminescence ..............................42
3.1 Granite grinder, Mine Dunquash, Egyptian Eastern Desert .............52
3.2 Slate quarry, eastern United States ....................................59
3.3 Large hafted axe, quartzite, Boulder Lake Reservoir,
St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA ....................................60
3.4 Quartzite Archeulian hand axe ........................................61
4.1 Since Paleolithic times humans have utilized lithic resources
to make tools .........................................................70
4.2 Quartz, showing (left) conchoidal fracture and (right)
crystal faces ..........................................................71
4.3 Chert knife with carved ivory handle, Gerzean period, Egypt ...........72
4.4 Chert Levallois core from Wadi Barramiya, Egyptian
Eastern Desert .......................................................77
4.5 Predynastic notched chert biface (shaft straightener?) from
Bir Umm Tenedba, Egyptian Eastern Desert ...........................77
4.6 Predynastic chert blade from Tel Edfu, Upper Egypt ...................77
4.7 Predynastic Agate blade from Wadi Bezeh, Egyptian
Eastern Desert .......................................................81
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