An extensive analysis will be performed on the lithic and ostrich eggshell bead assemblages from Blydefontein Rock Shelter by creating a framework composed of a comparative collection of archaeological and experimental artifacts. An experimental program will include controlled and replication experiments which will then be analyzed through macro- and micro- wear analyses to product the comparative collection for the study. The archaeological assemblages from Blydefontein Rock Shelter along with two comparative sites will also undergo usewear analysis to identify traces of production and use. All documented traces (photographs, 3D models, and notes) will be digitized and stored through a database which will be publicly accessible.
Macro-wear Analysis
Minimal macro-wear analysis is conducted beforehand while preparing the experimental and archaeological artifacts for usewear. But once these first few steps are completed, the artifacts are ready to be processed for usewear with the Low Power Approach. The macro-wear analysis will be conducted with a Nikon SMZ 745T stereomicroscope with magnifications 6.7 to 50x. The microscope contains an aperture for a digital camera and captures clear images of the macro-wear analysis which can be stacked automatically or manually for image focus through an application named Helicon Focus. Macro-wear studies capture traces such as the state of preservations and production and use traces such a grooves, polish, and rounding.
Micro-wear Analysis
In order to get detailed analysis of each individual trace, artifacts will be processed through a metallurgical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). A metallurgical microscope will be used to capture images the traditional way for micro-wear analysis. A JEOL SEM microscope surpasses the magnifications of the metallurgical microscope and captures images up to a magnification of x3000. It also conducts energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to determine which elements are on the surface of an artifact. The JEOL SEM microscope will be used to capture images of traces up to x1000 magnification and also to determine residue elements if identified on the surface of archaeological artifacts. Alongside the metallurgical and SEM microscopes, the Olympus FV300 Laser Scanning Confocal microscope will be used to collect images of where the elements are located on the surface and to separate cross-cutting usewear traces.