[Bonetools] crossbows and fleas

[S O'Connor]

Dear Marloes,

 

I’ve seen lots of objects like the one you show, some more decorative than
others.  I have attached a picture of one.  These are containers for tape
measures and their common features include a slot in the side where the
textile tape is pulled out and a bone rod through the centre of the top to
act as an axle and handle to re-wind the tape into the container. The one in
my picture has lost its tape.  Might your object match this form?  This one
is 19th C and I have images of them in bone, elephant ivory and vegetable
ivory.  Bone is probably the most common material for these.

 

All the best,

 

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

 

From: bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu
[mailto:bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu] On Behalf Of Marloes
Sent: 03 December 2013 09:25
To: bonetools at listserv.niif.hu
Subject: Re: [Bonetools] crossbows and fleas

 

Dear all,
 
Thank you all for your responses and references!!
 
The photograph that I have send is just one of many examples of objects like
these which have been interpreted as 'flea catcher'. I don't have the exact
measurements of this example (only received a photograph), but these objects
are usually made of cattle metatarsals. I have never measured the holes
unfortunately, (next oppurtunity I will also measure the holes), but these
are smaller than 1 cm, I guess around 3-4 mm.
 
Best wishes,
 
Marloes
 

  _____  

Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 11:30:23 +0100
From: poplin at mnhn.fr
To: bonetools at listserv.niif.hu
Subject: Re: [Bonetools] crossbows and flees

Dear Marloes Rijkelijkhuizen,

it's really a pleasure to come back to you after having been visited by a
Nymph two nights ago. She told me to beg you for the diameter of the holes.
I ask you also for the diameter of the whole thing : if it's something as 4
- 5 cm, the dimension of holes is about 1 cm, which a little bit too much
for the thing I am thinking of. Please, tell me...

And : what is the context ?

Your's


Le 26/11/2013 14:37, Marloes a écrit : 

Dear all,
 
Two questions:
 
- Does anyone has any references or datings for medieval antler crossbow
nuts?
 
- Objects like the attached picture are often described as
flee/licecatchers. It is said that inside a cotton ball with honey and blood
was put to trap the flees/lice. It was hung on a dress or put inside a wig.
Does anyone have references for these items or for this explanation?
 
Best wishes,
Marloes





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-- 
François POPLIN 
 
Directeur honoraire de l’UMR 7209 Archéozoologie, Archébotanique : sociétés,
pratiques et environnements 
 
Responsable du Séminaire d'Anthropozoologie 
 
Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle 
CP 56 
Ancien Laboratoire d’Anatomie comparée 
55, rue de Buffon 
75005 Paris 
01 40 79 33 11 
fax ------ 33 14 
 
francoispoplin.blogspot.com


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