[Bonetools] bones as raw material - fresh or stored?

[Lena Strid]

Dear all,

Are there any information on whether bones used for bone working (Iron Age - early Post-medieval) had to be relatively fresh, or could they be stored for months (years?)?  MacGregor mentions soaking antler to make it easy to cut, but would this also work with dry bone?

I have difficulty finding information on this, as most things I can find concern modern bone working with dremels etc, which I assume would be less sensitive to freshness/dryness of bone than using hand tools. 

With thanks,
Lena
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