Ground Stone Use-Wear Comparative Database
About this database:
The collection of photomicrographs and photographs posted here is intended to facilitate data sharing and comparisons between different experimental use-wear programs. The images can also function as a teaching aid, or as a supplemental resource for use-wear analysis of ground stone. For more information on the experiments that produced the images on this site click here
Focus stacking:
Photomicrographs designated as "stacked" have been digitally processed to enhance the depth of field and highlight topographical details that may be useful in discriminating between microscopic wear-patterns on the surface of the stone. A normal photograph, especially under high-magnification, is limited to a narrow depth of field and therefore can only bring topographical features within a certain range of depth into good focus. Focus stacking is a technique that involves taking numerous photographs at different focus levels and then using software to digitally "stack" them into a single composite image that contains the full range of focus of all of the photos.
Photo of the same surface without focus-stacking.
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Focus-stacked micrograph of a sandstone tool use surface generated from a series of 6 individual photos. 60x Magnification
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