Glossary:Rock Varnish

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Rock Varnish
Natural accretions on exposed rock surfaces (usually in desert environments) of manganese and iron oxides, together with clay minerals and organic matter, which can provide valuable environmental evidence. Their study, when combined with radiocarbon methods, can provide a minimum age for some landforms, and even some types of stone tool which also accumulate varnish.

Source
Adapted from: Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. (2000) Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN: 0-500-28147-5

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