| Thermal alteration of tool stone has been utilized for over 150,000 years as a method to
increase the workability of the tool stone in question. Along with increasing the workability of
the stone, several different changes become obvious thermally altered stone, such as a change in
color and a luster change on freshly flaked faces. The method for thermal alteration of tool
stone was rediscovered by archaeologists in the last century, but the basis for why these changes
occur has become the new focus of study.
This thesis looks at the change in surface roughness as a mechanism for the changes that
occur in heated stone. Edwards Plateau chert was selected and reduced into small blocks. These
were then heated to different temperature benchmarks. Once cooled back to room temperature,
they underwent contact profilometry. This allowed for surface roughness to be tested and then
compared across the collection of samples. Results were mixed, but this thesis does demonstrate
an inexpensive method for testing thermal alteration.
Keywords: Thermal Alteration, Edwards Plateau, Roughness |