Jess Bates

Investigating invisible traces at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr: a temporal and spatial analysis of flint microwear patterns

My interests are focused around characterising individuals within Mesolithic societies and the implementation of multi-disciplinary approaches to access unique insights into Mesolithic settlements and structures. I also have a keen interest in more invisible types of material culture and technologies present in Mesolithic contexts, such as the use of plants. More generally, I am interested in funerary archaeology, prehistoric settlements, object biographies, hunter-gatherer societies and the origins of gender.

During recent excavations at the world-renowned Mesolithic site of Star Carr, over 24,883 flints were found. This project will go beyond traditional approaches, and analyse these artefacts using microwear and spatial analysis: a high-resolution, forensic approach rarely used in Britain. The results will facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the lives of hunter-gatherers at Star Carr allowing the site to be situated within its broader European context. The study has the potential to transform our ideas about the morphology and function of stone tools: a subject at the very heart of prehistoric archaeology.