[Bonetools] bone pins/gouges accompanying cremations

[Jacqui Mulville]

 I have just looked at a group of cremations from the entrance graves on 
the Isles of Scilly for a RC dating project (probably Bronze Age - but no 
dates) and we found a number of small sheep tibia gouges/pins.  These were 
from tiny individuals, a number had the distal end intact with the shaft 
worked to an open point. The artefacts were calcined. They accompanied 
four cremations in one tomb with a number more recorded from another (the 
majority of tomb contents from the isles are unfortunately lost).  Does 
anyone know of parallels? 

One individual was accompanied by faience and glass beads. The burning of 
the pins/gouges suggests they were burnt with the individuals, however 
they were much less fragmented than the human bone? Were they treated 
differently? Were they dress pins? 

Any sheep/human cremation parallels from prehistory welcome.   

Best wishes 

Small pic of one pin/gouge on facebook page - 
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=260206660697897&set=pu.253287838056446&type=1&theater



Jacqui Mulville (PhD),
Cardiff Osteoarchaeological Research Group 
www.facebook.com/CORGROUP

On research leave Sept 2011 to Sept 2012


School of History, Archaeology and Religion,
Cardiff University, Humanities Building, Colum Drive, CARDIFF, CF10 3EU
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/share/contactsandpeople/academicstaff/K-O/mulville-jacqui-dr-overview_new.html 

Tel: + 44 (0) 29 2087 4247
Fax: + 44 (0) 29 2087 4929
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