A thorough exploration of the archaeology behind stone extraction, Extracting Stone offers readers a fresh perspective on quarry landscapes and their significance in understanding how the extraction of raw materials has shaped civilizations for millennia. This edited volume compiles diverse case studies from various regions, delving into the complex relationship between people, the land, and the resources they relied upon. It focuses on three extraction sites: Flint Mine Hill in New York, along the Hudson River; Spanish Diggings, Arkansas, in the Ouachita Mountains; and Obsidian Cliff within Yellowstone National Park.
The authors weave archaeological, geological, and anthropological perspectives to reveal how stone quarries were not simply economic hubs but also cultural and social centers. Down and Trubitt present stone extraction as a dynamic process, shaped by technology, labor, and local landscapes, making it clear that quarries were integral to the development of communities across different historical periods.
Extracting Stone examines the impact of quarrying on the environment and discusses how quarries have been perceived through the lens of heritage and conservation. It discusses the application of newer, less-invasive technologies as essential tools for studying quarry landscapes and includes examples of how modern technologies are revolutionizing the way archaeologists approach these sites using LiDAR and GIS mapping. By integrating these technologies, the authors argue, modern quarry studies can avoid the significant environmental impact and ethical concerns often associated with traditional excavation methods.
The essays highlight various quarrying methods, from ancient flint mining in Europe to more recent stone extractions in the Southern United States. Through these varied examples, the authors underscore how quarry landscapes are key to understanding not just the material culture of past societies but also their societal structures and economic organization. The book will appeal to scholars, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of human history, natural resources, and the built environment.
