[Bonetools] Wear traces on bone tools

[Katherine M. Moore]

Dear Colleagues:

I am seeking general insights (or perhaps opinions) on trace analysis 
of bone tools. Various studies describe characteristics of traces 
left on bone by common materials (plant material, hide, soil, etc.). 
Is there a recent reference which establishes the characteristics of 
these traces using sytematic studies of modern bone tools? Even more 
importantly, are there blind tests of identification of worked 
material on bone tools such as those conducted by Keeley and Newcomer 
for stone tools? Those blind tests and others which followed have 
shown that such identifications of worked material on stone tools are 
probably not reliable. Do bone tool studies have better foundation?

Thanks for your help and experience.

best,

Kate Moore
Consulting Scholar
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA