[Bonetools] ivory(?) double bead dumbbell bead

[François Poplin]

In the mean time, I searched help to enlarge the first picture ? On my 
screan, the two spheres are even smaller than cherries...

Now, bone is clear.



Le 08/01/2014 00:47, SA O'Connor a écrit :
> Dear Fiona,
>
> Thank you for the additional images.  The visible features confirm 
> that the object is bone, most probably turned from a thick strip of a 
> large mammal longbone.
>
> I have attached the two most diagnostic pictures. The whole bead shows 
> the axially oriented, regularly spaced lines of dark spots and dashes 
> formed by the vascular system of the bone. Your photomicrograph 
> clearly shows a branching blood vessel in the bone.
>
> I have some experience turning lace bobbins in bone and I think this 
> 'dumbbell' bead may not be a single complete bead but two unfinished 
> beads.
>
> To make these beads you start with a length of compact bone tissue 
> that is drilled down the centre. Several beads are turned along the 
> bone strip in one go but are left attached to each other. When the 
> shaping is complete the bone strip is removed from the lathe and only 
> then is a cut made between the beads to separate them.  If you try to 
> part the beads whilst they are turning on the lathe they will fly off 
> in all directions when the chisel cuts through to the drilled hole!
>
> If you look at the waist between the beads you will see that one side 
> is vertical and the other sloped and marked with a dee


> p groove. These features ensure that the beads are cut apart 
> accurately. Either these beads were dropped before they could be 
> separated or they were discarded because they were sub-standard.  
> Perhaps some of the visible surface blemishes were apparent when the 
> bone was fresh.
>
> Could they be Rosary beads?
>
> All the best,
>
> Sonia
>
> Quoting fiona beglane <fionabeglane at yahoo.com>:
>
>> See the attached image.  I have this double bead which seems to be 
>> made of ivory.  It was found on a medieval and post medieval site in 
>> Ireland.  L=10.14mm, dia=5.55mm and is perforated.  I know that 
>> double beads have been found in early medieval sites in Ireland - 
>> usually made of glass.  Does anyone know of any other bone or ivory 
>> examples from Ireland or elsewhere?
>> Thank you all
>>
>> Fiona
>
>
>
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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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