Beyond the Surface: Exploring Ancient Plant Food Processing through Confocal Microscopy and 3D Texture Analysis on Ground Stone Tools.

ABSTRACT: Ground stone tools are frequently found in archaeological contexts from early to late prehistoric times. These tools are key evidence for reconstructing past societies' lifeways, technology and know-how, given their role in different tasks, including subsistence and craft activities. In recent years, the field of use-wear studies on ground stone tools showed an exponential growth in applying quantitative methods at all scales of observations, from macro to micro. These included using 3D models to measure and identify worked areas, spatial analyses for exploring trace and residue distribution, and confocal profilometers to analyse micro-polish texture. In this paper, we present results stemming from the application of confocal light microscopy and 3D surface texture analysis to identify and

SUBMITTER: Zupancich A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11807085 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature