[Bonetools] Strange cattle bones with carved holes

[Johnny Karlsson]

Dear all,
I hope you can help me with some odd bone objects from medieval Sigtuna in Sweden.
During a research on medieval bone skates from the town, I and a colleague came across some bones that seem to have another function at least primary. It is only metacarpal bones from cattle and they have two holes at the proximal joint, see photo. The holes are uneven and look carved rather than drilled. Usually the holes reach the medullar cavity. In two cases it is evident that the bones secondary have been used as skates, in two other cases they exhibit transverse striations on the diaphysis (see photo). But the majority of them show no sign of use at all except these two proximal holes. We identified about twenty of them from one particular trench in layers dating to the 12th century, but they do appear in smaller numbers in other parts of town.
Has anyone of you seen something similar? Does anyone know their function?
Thank you in advance,
Johnny Karlsson
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