dc.creator | Garrido Cordero, José Ángel | es |
dc.creator | Sousa, Ana C. | es |
dc.creator | Martínez Blanes, José María | es |
dc.creator | Romero García, Galo | es |
dc.creator | Sánchez Gómez, Daniel | es |
dc.creator | Edo i Benaigues, Manel | es |
dc.creator | Romero-Vera, Diego | es |
dc.creator | Simón-Vallejo, María Dolores | es |
dc.creator | Zambrana Vega, María Dolores | es |
dc.creator | Molina-González, José Luis | es |
dc.creator | Odriozola Lloret, Carlos Patricio | es |
dc.date.accessioned | 2024-07-26T07:19:58Z | |
dc.date.available | 2024-07-26T07:19:58Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Garrido-Cordero, J.Á., Sousa, A.C.,...,Odriozola Lloret, C.P. (2024). Crafting illusions: Human-made composite coating used to simulate amber beads in prehistoric Iberia. Elsevier. | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1095-9238 | es |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/11441/161689 | |
dc.description.abstract | The discovery of a set of beads, comprising both Sicilian amber and resin-coated beads in the Middle Bronze Age
burial site of Cova del Gegant (Sitges, Barcelona, Spain), has sparked inquiries into whether the coating was
intended for imitation or counterfeiting of amber. We assert that human-made materials, such as bead coatings,
are intentionally conceived, designed, and crafted to fulfill specific functions. Thus, for an object to effectively
fulfill its intended purpose, it must meet particular performance criteria influenced by situational factors.
This paper aims to construct an empirically grounded narrative elucidating the development and function of
resin-coated bead technology. Our methodology includes a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the coating
and beads, an exploration of the interplay between technical choices and situational factors, and an investigation
into whether the simulation of sensory performance characteristics played a pivotal role in the concept and
design of resin-coated beads. Additionally, we synthesize data to unveil broader patterns related to the crafting
and utilization of resin-coated and amber beads across time and space.
We have documented resin-coated beads in the Iberian Peninsula from the Neolithic period (5th to 3rd
millennia BCE) until at least the Middle Bronze Age (first half of the 2nd millennium BCE), where they coexisted
with amber beads. Analysis employing ATR-FTIR and μ-CT imaging has revealed a composite coating comprising
pine resin, beeswax, and carotene, adhered to shell beads with bone glue. This composite material represents the
earliest known development in human history, unique to the Iberian Peninsula and without parallel in Prehistoric Europe.
Our examination of the performance characteristics and functional roles of resin-coated beads suggests their
potential as substitutes for amber beads, particularly in regions where amber was scarce or inaccessible. Despite
being crafted from commonplace materials, these coated beads exhibit intentional design choices likely aimed at
simulating the visual performance characteristics of amber. This deliberate effort, alongside their widespread
distribution across time and space, indicates that composite-coated beads held symbolic and social significance
akin to amber beads. | es |
dc.format | application/pdf | es |
dc.format.extent | 13 | es |
dc.language.iso | eng | es |
dc.publisher | Elsevier | es |
dc.rights | Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional | * |
dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | * |
dc.subject | Imitation amber beads | es |
dc.subject | Prehistoric craftsmanship | es |
dc.subject | Iberian communities | es |
dc.subject | Material imitation | es |
dc.subject | Social identity | es |
dc.subject | ATR-FTIR | es |
dc.subject | Micro-CT scanning | es |
dc.title | Crafting illusions: Human-made composite coating used to simulate amber beads in prehistoric Iberia | es |
dc.type | info:eu-repo/semantics/article | es |
dc.type.version | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion | es |
dc.rights.accessRights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess | es |
dc.contributor.affiliation | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Pintura | es |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106011 | es |
dc.contributor.group | Universidad de Sevilla. HUM-1085:Quantitative Archaeology and Archaeological Science | es |
dc.journaltitle | Journal of Archaeological Science | es |
dc.publication.issue | 168 | es |
dc.publication.initialPage | 1 | es |
dc.publication.endPage | 13 | es |