The use-wear analysis laboratory is equipped with an optical microscope Olympus BX51-M for observation in reflected light, with magnification from 50x to 200x (LPA and HPA), brightfield, darkfield and polarisation, motorized focus for images of extensive depth. The microscope is capable of use-wear and material analyses of stone, bone, metal and ceramic artefacts. Its motorized focus is unique in this field in the Czech Republic; it enables documentation of even very irregular 3D surfaces. Microscope is completed by discussion device, which enables simultaneous view for two persons. It facilitates direct consulting both in learning, and in analyses for external subjects.

The laboratory is equipped for the observation in translucent light too. The polarising microscope Olympus BX53M with rotating stage and PPL or XPL regimes is used both in thin-section analyses, and micro-residual analysis. Determination of lithic raw materials, provenance and fabrication analyses of ceramics, identifications of pollens, vegetal or animal cells or tissue fragments are available. The laboratory has its own cutting & polishing machines for the preparation of thin sections of ceramics and metals.

The Olympus DSX1000 optodigital microscope allows applying a wide range of observation modes in reflected and transmitted light, with polarization and other options and filters. The fundamental advantage of this microscope is the easy reading of measurable values, 3D display with wide variability of tools for sections, rotation or illumination and a very wide range of achievable magnifications from 20x to 6500x. It is particularly suitable for the use-wear analysis of 3D features on metal and bone artefacts, and the documentation and analysis of imprints, pseudomorphs and textiles in corrosion products.

Use-wear analysis laboratory includes three other microscopes for students, and other people interested in self-made analyses. Binocular magnifier with side lighting, binocular microscope with side lighting and trinocular microscope with lighting from above are available, up to magnification 200x. Using these microscopes is possible after training. Precise weighing scale (preciseness to 0,001 gram) and set for ultrasonic separation of microresidues form other equipment of our laboratory.

We allow training and scientific stays for doctoral students and posdoctoral academics from other departments or institutions, including those foreign.

Laboratory team is formed by Ludmila Kaňáková (lithics and ceramics, documentary microscopy), Markéta Havlíková (copper alloys), and Anna Nováčková (hard organic tissues).

Examples of analytic layouts:

• Stone knives of Early Bronze Age Use-wear analysis [See more...]
• Comparative use-wear analysis of stone projectiles from the period of Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age [See more]
• Use-wear analysis of Nitra Culture Stone projectiles [See more...]

Possibilities of analysis for external subjects:

• Expert consulting
• Open access scientific cooperation with co-authorship of published output
• Custom analyzes