[Bonetools] A Mystery Bone Artefact from Tursiannotko, SW Finland

[Tuukka Kumpulainen]

Hello all,

Recently, a mysterious bone artefact was found from Tursiannotko, Southwestern Finland, during rescue excavations on a multi-period site. Preliminary contextual evidence concerning this find points to a Late Iron Age (c. AD 800 - 1200) dating. 

The artefact is of such a complex and detailed design and execution, that I think mere ornamental explanations won't suffice - to me, the find reflects precise functionality, yet I have not encountered anything like this before, and our entire crew is at a loss as to the find's ID. Any parallels of this type of artefact, or suggestions of its function, would be more than welcome. I'm keeping my few own interpretations to myself, for now :)

Thank you,

Tuukka Kumpulainen
University of Turku
Finland
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Luutipu  sivuprofiili shopattu.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 781610 bytes
Desc: Luutipu  sivuprofiili shopattu.jpg
URL: <https://listserv.niif.hu/pipermail/bonetools/attachments/20130819/d47c8c8b/attachment-0005.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Luutipu sivuprofiili toinen suunta shopattu.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 621317 bytes
Desc: Luutipu sivuprofiili toinen suunta shopattu.jpg
URL: <https://listserv.niif.hu/pipermail/bonetools/attachments/20130819/d47c8c8b/attachment-0006.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Luutipu etup??ty shopattu.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 685885 bytes
Desc: Luutipu etup??ty shopattu.jpg
URL: <https://listserv.niif.hu/pipermail/bonetools/attachments/20130819/d47c8c8b/attachment-0007.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Luutipu etuviisto shopattu.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 829030 bytes
Desc: Luutipu etuviisto shopattu.jpg
URL: <https://listserv.niif.hu/pipermail/bonetools/attachments/20130819/d47c8c8b/attachment-0008.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Luutipu taso yl? shopattu.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 900229 bytes
Desc: Luutipu taso yl? shopattu.jpg
URL: <https://listserv.niif.hu/pipermail/bonetools/attachments/20130819/d47c8c8b/attachment-0009.jpg>