Exploring the Microscale: Advances and Novel Applications of Microscopy for Archaeological Materials

Archaeologists employ a wide range of microscopy techniques to understand subtle traces of past behaviors in the archaeological record. This session explores innovative methods of analyzing archaeological traces at the microscale, whether it is through new developments in microscopy or novel applications of established techniques. These methods are not limited to a specific type of material culture and thus this session explores microscopy for the study of lithics, bones, metals, residues, and other materials. Furthermore, analytical techniques using microscopy draw on numerous disciplines including physics, engineering, and chemistry, encompassing a wide range of techniques to visualize and record microscopic traces. By bringing together research on different materials with diverse approaches, this session aims to develop new collaborations to explore archaeological materials at the microscale. Reaching out beyond the archaeological realm into interdisciplinary pursuits, we gain new insights into the past.