Abstract

This study combines typology and use-wear analysis applied to a large sample of flint sickle blades from Tel Tsaf, Jordan Valley, Israel, dated to the Middle Chalcolithic period (ca. 5200–4700 cal BC). The dominant backed, bi-truncated rectangle sickle blade, typical of the Chalcolithic period, was analyzed, revealing new types that are identified through shaping nuances which, based on the results of the use-wear analysis, are associated with different construction principles of the composite sickle. Considering that the archaeological record is scarce with evidence of the sickles themselves, the use-wear analysis provides detailed information, where a variety of techniques are defined, looking at the shape of the hafts, the positioning of the sickle inserts, and the method of using the adhesive material. A versatile system of sickle construction is introduced, where a range of hafting options is possible, in straight or curved hafts and with inserts positioned parallel or obliquely. But there are also particular types that were clearly designed in a special way, to fit unique types of sickles. Furthermore, the identification of post-use operations through breakage patterns also connects the Tel Tsaf sickles to activities identified in sickle blade workshops from other Late Chalcolithic sites, indicating that these were valued products that were repaired and re-shaped for subsequent use. We provide several lines of evidence, deriving from harvesting experiments, archaeological research of sickles and sickle blades, and by drawing on ethnography to explain the significance of these differences in sickles at Tel Tsaf. It is associated with varying harvesting techniques to deal with variations in field settings, types of sickle users, and intense consumption. Compared to the previous Late Pottery Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic sickle types, where sickle blades are different in shape, the analysis of the Tel Tsaf sickle blades presents a development in sickle harvesting technology and its complexity during this time.

中文翻译：

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以色列约旦河谷中铜石时代 Tel Tsaf 的镰刀建造技术

摘要

这项研究结合了类型学和使用磨损分析，对来自以色列约旦河谷 Tel Tsaf 的大量燧石镰刀刀片样本进行了分析，这些样本的年代可以追溯到铜石并用时代中期（约公元前 5200-4700 年）。对红铜时代典型的有背衬、双截头矩形镰刀刀片进行了分析，揭示了通过形状细微差别确定的新类型，这些细微差别基于使用磨损分析的结果，与不同的构造原理相关。复合材料镰刀。考虑到考古记录缺乏镰刀本身的证据，使用磨损分析提供了详细的信息，其中定义了各种技术，观察镰刀柄的形状、镰刀插入物的位置以及镰刀插入物的方法。使用粘合材料。引入了一种多功能的镰刀结构系统，可以提供一系列的轴系选项，包括直轴或曲线轴以及平行或倾斜定位的插入件。但也有一些特定类型明显以特殊方式设计，以适应独特类型的镰刀。此外，通过破损模式识别使用后操作还将特尔察夫镰刀与其他红铜时代晚期遗址的镰刀刀片作坊中识别的活动联系起来，表明这些是经过修复和重塑以供后续使用的有价值的产品。我们提供了几条证据，这些证据来自收割实验、镰刀和镰刀刀片的考古研究，并利用民族志来解释特尔察夫镰刀的这些差异的重要性。它与不同的收割技术相关，以应对田间环境、镰刀使用者类型和强烈消耗的变化。与之前的新石器时代晚期陶器/红铜时代早期的镰刀类型（镰刀刀片形状不同）相比，对特尔察夫镰刀刀片的分析展示了这一时期镰刀收割技术的发展及其复杂性。