Wear Analysis

Wear analysis evaluates the marks found on ancient tools and weapons through observation and microscopy. Hypotheses formulated through observation are then tested using replica objects in order to verify use patterns. The method was first applied to prehistoric stone and bone tools, but recent applications include copper-alloy objects, which present us with new challenges (e.g. surface corrosion). Despite early scepticism, the method has proved perfectly capable of addressing a wide range of problems and is now routinely used to understand uses of prehistoric metal objects including axes, swords, and spears.

Metalwork wear analysis is taught at Newcastle University in a dedicated MA module. Archaeological objects are borrowed from the rich collections of the Great North Museum: Hancock, and examined in the Wolfson Archaeology Laboratory. The laboratory is equipped with a suite of stereo-microscopes, and metallographic microscopes (and a Scanning Electron Microscope) can be accessed in the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials.