Unveiling bast fiber production in Upper Paleolithic North China: Microfibers and usewear traces on stone tools from Shizitan
Fig 3
Usewear traces on SZT29 tools (a–f) compared with usewear and residue on experimental tools (g–m).
(a-f) SZT29 tools. (a) Microblade (MB5), high polish (indicated by red arrows) and fine striations parallel to the edge (indicated by yellow arrows), compare with (g); (b) flake tool (SF4), high polish, compare with (h); (c) handstone (GS7), high polish with micropitting (indicated by black arrows); (d) flake scraper (SF5), fine striations perpendicular to the edge (indicated by yellow arrows); (e) flake tool (SF8), high polish and fine striations perpendicular and parallel to the edge (indicated by yellow arrows); (f) grinding slab (GS8), isolated polished areas (indicated by red arrows). (g–m) Experimental tools. (g) sandstone knife, cutting and scraping velvetleaf stems, 60 min, high polish and fine striations parallel to the edge (indicated by red and yellow arrows); (h) flint flake, scraping hemp ribbon, 30 min, high polish (indicated by red arrow); (i) scraping hemp ribbon with a chert flake shown in lower right; (j) microfibers attached to the chert flake after use; (k–m) epidermis, microfibers, and crystal found in the residue from the chert after use (hemp ribbons were sourced from Hemp Traders in Los Angeles, California).