The Lithic Studies Laboratory
Its Facilities and its History
The heart of the Lithic Studies Laboratory is
its microscopy
station for the analysis of prehistoric artefacts, especially stone tools (Figure 1).
The Low Power microscope is an
Satellite navigation system GPS, surveying
instruments, excavation equipment and a mobile data processing facility with
handheld and notebook computers and mobile printer provide an interface to ASP’s
archaeological research in the field. The satellite navigation system is a Garmin
12XL 12-channel receiver handheld device with color monitor and computer interface.
Aside from the possibility of conveniently down- or uploading geographic data,
the included GPS software Fugawi Moving Map shows actual positions, tracking
and waypoints over any topographic map on the computer screen. Such a map just
has to be scanned (e.g. with the laboratory’s scanner) and saved as a JPG-file.
With a simple calibration routine, the map is then ready as a background image
over which the waypoints and tracking points from the GPS are displayed and
recorded. The combination of GPS receiver and Fugawi Moving Map is an ideal
tool for any archaeological survey and prospection. Since November 2002, the
Lithic Studies Laboratory owns a Reflectorless Totalstation Trimble 3300 DR
with PC interface and design software, an ideal instrument for fast and precise
mapping and recording of archaeological sites, features and finds during fieldwork.
Mobile data processing in the field is provided
by a notebook computer, a shock-and-waterproof Psion-Workabout handheld computer,
a mobile printer HP Deskjet 340 with infrared port and rechargable battery,
plus interfaces for data exchange, GPS tracking and digital cameras. The excavation
equipment includes also a Laserliner levelling instrument with tripod, stadia
rod and range poles for surveying and mapping, two-way radio receivers and other
technical materials.
This equiment is completed by a digital
photo and video studio, including Olympus Camedia 920 and 4040 digital still
cameras, a JVC DVL-20 digital video camcorder for Mini-DV tapes, both with computer
interfaces, a reprographic camera/video stand, an Epson 1270 A3-photo printer,
Hewlett Packard 1100 laser printer and an Acer 640ST flatbed scanner with transparency
and slide scanning option and fast SCSI interface. These devices permit an extensive
documentation of fieldworks and laboratory analysis up to the desktop publishing
of archaeological reports, e.g. in ASP’s archaeological bulletin „Hukay“, and
other journals. Various analytical instruments, computer software and parts
complete the laboratory.
On
History of the Lithic Studies Laboratory
The
idea to establish a laboratory unit for the scientific analysis of stone tools
and the training of students of the Archaeological Studies Program in Lithic
Technology and Analysis was born in 1998. The authors proposed the “Lithic Studies
Laboratory Project” to the German Academic Exchange Program’s Material and Equipment
Donation Programme as part of a longterm academic exchange between the University
of the Philippines, Archaeological Studies Program and the University of Tübingen
(Germany), Institute for Prehistory. The Memorandum of Agreement signed between
both universities in 1999, promotes the exchange of faculty and students and
is suppported by the German Academic Exchange Service (“DAAD”). After the approval
of the DAAD, a first delivery of scientific materials arrived in the
September
2001 also saw the “inofficial opening” of the Lithic Studies Laboratory with
DAAD representative Anke Stahl (Figure 2). The Lab
was now installed in an annex building of the former Instructional Materials
Center IMC, meanwhile the office of the University Registrar. After the renovation, a 30 m2
room was made available to accomodate the Lithic Studies Laboratory. Equipped
with airconditioner, laboratory washing basin, telephone and a comfort room,
the laboratory was initially furnished with used chairs and tables - the better
ones a friendly donation of Mr. Gregorio Magdaraog – to setup up the equipment
and start with the first lectures and practical training courses for the second
semester 2001/02. Generously, the Chancellor of U.P. Diliman, Prof. Dr. Emerlinda
Roman, approved our request for new laboratory and office furniture which completed
the Lithic Studies Laboratory at the end of 2001. The new year of 2002 saw then
as first major event at the Archaeological Studies Program the formal opening
of the Lithic Studies Laboratory, conducted by the President of the University
of the Philippines, Prof. Dr. Francisco Nemenzo and the Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany, Mr. Herbert Jess who also formally handed over the deeds
of donation to President Nemenzo (Figure 3,
Figure 4).
The whole archaeological community of the University of the Philippines and
the National Museum, including its director, Mme. Corazon Alvina and the head
of the Archaeology Division, Prof. Wilfredo Ronquillo, along with other distinguished
guests, the Chancellor of U.P. Diliman, Prof. Dr. Emerlinda Roman, the U.P.
Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Maria Theresia Diokno, Dean Dr.
Consuelo Paz, just to name a few, gave the Archaeological Studies Program the
honour and joined this remarkable celebration. Although dedicated to the analysis
of stone tools, the Lithic Studies Laboratory welcomes students and scientists
from all fields of Archaeology and is inviting every one with an interest in
archaeological research to take advantage of its equipment.
Even though the laboratory has just been
opened, various research projects are already using its working space and facilities.
Aside from the analysis of the artefacts and archaeological data gathered in
the 2001 field school at the Arubo open site in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija,
several lithic assemblages from archaeological sites in Palawan and Cagayan
de Oro are investigated as part of Master’s theses of ASP students. Furthermore,
a team of researchers from the Archaeological Studies Program and Australia
and New Zealand use the microscopy station of the Lithic Studies Laboratory
for their particular analyses on archaeological remains from Batanes. Naturally,
lectures, seminars and workshops of the Archaeological Studies Program are also
held here.
ASP’s Lithic Studies Laboratory is the only
research facility of its kind in the
Published article Press release Visit Hukay
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