[Bonetools] cross_bone_?

[S O'Connor]

Dear Karl,

It is difficult to see enough detail from these images but there is a
possibility they this is walrus ivory - there seems to be a distinction
between featureless material and an area with a whorled structure.  Antler
pedicle can also show a similar combination of features but to carry this
forward I would need to see better images of these different areas and the
junction between them at higher magnification (with a scale if you can).
The colour could be deliberate staining or due to the burial environment.  I
have had some walrus ivory playing pieces that look like dark amber.

Thanks,

Sonia

Dr Sonia O'Connor PhD FSA FIIC ACR Honorary Visiting Fellow, University of
York
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Archaeological Sciences
Division of AGES,  
University of Bradford
Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK

tel 01274 23 6498 (office) 5210 (lab)
fax 01274 23 5210


-----Original Message-----
From: bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu
[mailto:bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu] On Behalf Of Günther Karl Kunst
Sent: 04 June 2012 11:32
To: Mailing list for archaeologists of the research group for the study of
object and waste of bone, antler. ivory and horn.
Subject: [Bonetools] cross_bone_?

Der Alice and all!
Unfortunately, this is not meant as an immediate reponse concerning a
bonetool of the month, because the circumstances (stray find), property
issues and identity (material) are still too vague. It was found by a local
collector in the vicinity of a former castle in a (nowadays) remote area of
northern Lower Austria. It was shown to me by Sabine Felgenhauer from the
prehistoric department who carries out excavations in the castle area
(pottery of High Medieval - 11th-13th c). The oblong object, with a
cross-engraving on both sides, feels "warm" haptically and has been worked
(file, saw, ...) all over its surface, and I think/hope it is an animal
tissue, but not quite sure about that. No original surface left, and what is
the meaning of the "structural lines" 
(dentine-ivory, antler?)? Excavator put forward ideas about a gaming
piece/chessman. I attach several pictures I took under not quite ideal
cicrumstances.
Any suggestions welcome!
all the best
Karl