TraceoLab is a research centre in prehistory with a particular focus on the analysis of use-wear and residues on stone tools in combination with extensive experimentation. The experimental research is thus focused on stone tools, in various raw materials but with a predominance of flint.
All stone tools are manufactured by a skilled knapper who is a member of TraceoLab. The group is involved in a lot of methodological work, in relation to use-wear, residues and taphonomy, while also specific themes are addressed, such as hafting and projectiles. The lab houses specific equipment for experimentation, in particular for projectiles, next to specialized analytical equipment.
Expertise
• Wear analysis of stone tools: production, use, prehension, hafting, etc. Specific attention is devoted to an understanding of stone tool life cycles as a means to improve our understanding of assemblage variability.
• Residue analysis of stone tools.
• The focus lies on flint tools mainly, but coarser-grained raw materials are examined as well (e.g., experience with quartz).
• The focus lies on prehistoric assemblages, in particular Palaeolithic ones, but the lab has experience with later assemblages (Mesolithic, Neolithic and later).
