Grinding Feature Attributes

The attribute sets and attributes for the above class are described below. Minor edits which enhance the current definitions should be made directly to the text. Major changes or revisions which change the attribute words should follow the directions at the bottom of this page under Proposed Changes.

Grinding Feature

Single choice. Use of this classification should be limited to elements which are not portable; elements will usually be located on bedrock or large boulders. Although not everyone will agree that metates and mortars are rock art, the facility to record a variety of grinding features is provided. Examples for Grinding Feature.Grinding Feature

Cupule

A small round ground depression, typically 1-2 cm deep and about 3-5 cm across. Sizes may vary. Are commonly found both on the top and on the sides of boulders or bedrock.

Edge

Any type of ground or worn rock edge which can not be categorized as a notch or the worked edges of a natural hole.

Groove

An abraded groove in the rock. These are commonly interpreted to be have been made by sharpening tools.

Hole

A natural hole in the rock with enhanced or worn edges. In volcanic rock, holes from natural air bubbles may have worked edges. These are typically from 2 to 10 centimeters in diameter.

Metate

An elongated depression used with a mano for food preparation. These were frequently manufactured by pecking and the outside edges sometimes show peck marks which have not been worn down. Smooth stones needed resharpening, and peck marks used for sharpening may sometimes be visible.

Mortar

A deep round depression used with a pestle for food preparation.

Notch

A worn notch in a rock edge which may have been used as a tool for shaft straightening.

Seat

A worn area that was created by sitting, standing, dancing, or perhaps a work surface. The surface was not smoothed by a grinding motion.

Slick

A worn area with little depth and no visible edges that was created by a grinding motion.

Count

Single choice. An exact or approximate count of the number of similar items grouped together within this element. This is used to count the number of cupules, grooves, or notches grouped together into a single element. Examples for Grinding Feature.Count

Two

Two.

Three

Three.

Four

Four.

Five

Five.

Six to Ten

Less than ten and more than five.

Eleven to Twenty

Less than twenty and more than ten.

More Than Twenty

More than twenty.

Proposed Changes

If you have suggestions which add, delete, combine attributes or change the word used to define an attribute, then please copy the entire current attribute set definition above, including the attribute set heading to the end of this page and edit your copy. If you wish to make a comment below your improved version (or someone else's improved version), add a horizontal rule and then your comment.

Minor changes in agreement with the someone's proposed changes should be made directly to the text, competing versions should be documented as complete revised copies including the heading.

To add a new attribute set, create it exactly as it should appear. For suggestions on sequence changes, create an appropriate heading below and add a comment. For other types of changes, innovate.

All documentation should be written for the target audience of volunteer rock art recorders.