Possible Late Glacial bone “retouchers” in the Baltic Mesolithic: The contribution of experimental tests with lithics on bone tools
Résumé
The Mesolithic Zvejnieki complex (Latvia) yielded several archaeological layers dated to the Mesolithic with a rich bone and antler industry represented by tools and objects as well as manufacture debris (David / Zagorska 2004). In the Preboreal occupation horizon of the settlement site, two pieces, made on mammal limb bones (probably elk), manufactured as chisels show specific damage patterns that were formerly not registered by both archaeologists which excavated the Zvejnieki site (Zagorska 1980; Zagorskis 1987; Zagorska / Zagorskis 1990; Zagorska 1992). Indeed, « scratched » aspects they bear are only visible underneath the manufacturing and use pattern of chisels. They are clearly different to traces resulting from modifications related to taphonomic (biologic and abiotic) factors observed on other bone products at Zvejnieki or other contemporaneous bone material (David 2007, 3-24). As it has been previously suggested (David 2006-a, 236), these aspects could be related to a primary use of the bone matrix for flint working as they evoke more Palaeolithic/Epipalaeolithic-like types classically described as « compresseurs », and « retouchoirs » or « percuteurs » (see Patou-Mathis / Schwab 2002). Indeed, apart from punches on antler tines and light hammers on aurochs metapodial bones (David 2002), these types of « bones with impact traces » have not been recorded so far in the Early Mesolithic bone industry of northern Europe (David 2004-a, 83). It is suggested here that Mesolithic tool makers possibly used additional bone material left in situ by previous Late Glacial human population.
Domaines
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Est décrite par halshs-03922452 Objet présenté à une conférence Éva David, Jacques Pelegrin. Evidences of the last ‘retouchoirs’ (égriseurs) thanks to some Mesolithic ‘opportunistic’ behaviour. Retouching the Palaeolithic, S. Gaudzinski-Windheuser; A. García-Moreno; J. Hutson; E. Turner; A. Villaluenga; J. Rosell; R. Blasco, Oct 2015, Hannover, Germany. ⟨halshs-03922452⟩
