[Bonetools] Lepus and Bone Tools

[Nerissa Russell]

At Çatalhöyük (Neolithic Turkey), they occasionally made simple beads from segments of hare long bones, judging from a radius and a humerus piece that remained as waste.

Nerissa Russell
Professor
Department of Anthropology
Cornell University
607-255-6790


From: Karin Scott <kayscott at mweb.co.za<mailto:kayscott at mweb.co.za>>
Reply-To: "bonetools at listserv.niif.hu<mailto:bonetools at listserv.niif.hu>" <bonetools at listserv.niif.hu<mailto:bonetools at listserv.niif.hu>>
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 5:13 AM
To: "bonetools at listserv.niif.hu<mailto:bonetools at listserv.niif.hu>" <bonetools at listserv.niif.hu<mailto:bonetools at listserv.niif.hu>>
Subject: [Bonetools] Lepus and Bone Tools

Dear List

Thank you to Alice for adding me.
I am an Archaeozoologist based in South Africa.  I am currently doing my Masters in comparative osteology and osteomorphology of the two hare species of southern Africa Lepus capensis (Cape hare) and Lepus saxatilis (scrub hare) .
Hares remains are found on almost all archaeological faunal assemblages here although the NISP/MNI numbers vary greatly.  As part of my osteology research I look at the archaeological and ethnological record to try and explain their presence on site.  I found a very short note in an article that hare/rabbit bones were used by native Americans to make bone tools.  It made me wonder if the same happened here with the hare bones.  Hares were also used in traditional medicine and possibly for other items such as clothing.
I would appreciate any references and/or articles that relate to the use of hares (whole, part, or bones) worldwide that can give me a starting point for investigations or speculations as to why they are always present on sites.  That is, of course, in addition to forming part of the diet.
I thank you in advance for your assistance.

Kind regards

Karin
Never argue with a dragon
For thou art crunchy
and goes well with cheese


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