[Bonetools] Wear traces on bone tools

[Anne Brundle]

I don't know the answer, but I was just thinking about the same question
this weekend. My feeling is that many interpretations of wear on bone
tools are based on the three elements of (i)surface shine (ii)rounding
on edges and (iii)presence and direction of striations, and then on
whether the wear is 'light', 'normal' or 'heavy'. These value terms tend
to change, depending what the observer is accustomed to seeing and what
they have been looking at most recently, so it becomes difficult to make
comparisons between sites. 

I tend to feel cautious if trace analysis is interpreted too positively,
but I would love to hear from people who could make it work - it would
be so good!

Best wishes
Anne

Anne Brundle
Curator of Archaeology
The Orkney Museum
Tankerness House
Broad Street
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW17 2JD


-----Original Message-----
From: bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu
[mailto:bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu] On Behalf Of Katherine M.
Moore
Sent: 12 March 2010 17:35
To: Mailing list for archaeologists of the research group for the study
ofobjectand waste of bone, antler. ivory and horn.
Subject: [Bonetools] Wear traces on bone tools

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


_______________________________________________
Bonetools mailing list
Bonetools at listserv.niif.hu
https://listserv.niif.hu/mailman/listinfo/bonetools
This email and its attachments are intended only for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under the applicable law. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Orkney Islands Council. 

If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication and its attachments is strictly prohibited. 

If you have received this communication in error please notify us by contacting the sender. Thank you.

Orkney Islands Council – http://www.orkney.gov.uk  – 01856 873535