[Bonetools] Worked cattle metapodials in urban context from Lisbon: request for references and parallel cases

[mjvualg]

Dear colleagues,


This is my first post to the BoneTool list*, since my regular research
doesn't lead me often to worked bone. However, I'm now analyzing a faunal
assemblage from the old moorish parish of Lisbon (Portugal) in which one of
the contexts includes some interesting worked bone materials. I'm attaching
some photos for you see and, eventually, if possible, help me find some
parallel works and/or materials.


(*thank you Marta Moreno-García for the suggestion and Alice Choyke for the
nice welcome)


Here some data on the archaeological context in question:


Chronology. Although located in a site that has context units dating from
the 14th to the 20th century, my colleague who did the field work just
confirmed to me that he's not sure on the chronology of this specific unit:
it could be sometime from the 15th to 20th century (alas!).


Materials. The unit itself was relatively homogeneous and the worked bone
collection (see photo 1 for part of it)  included mostly:

(1) Cattle metapodial distal ends, many cut on the distal end of the
diaphysis (perpendicular to the axis of the bone) (photo 2).

(2) Many metapodials have the edges (lateral and medial) of the trochleas
cut (parallel to the axis of the bone) (photos 3 & 4).

(3) The context also yielded several elongated bone blocs (multifaceted
shaft fragments, photo 5), probably to produce tools like needles (one was
recovered; I don't have a picture of it at the moment).

(4) In all I have a collection of 90+ metapodials plus 60+ multifaceted
shaft fragments. The first ones are in different stages of process (or can
be divided in different “subtype” classes; see preliminary sketch included
in Draft Scheme image).


I’d be very grateful for any help that goes on the lines of:


1) Similar objects and their function. That might be very helpful to limit
the chronological frame and their usage. I’m mostly wondering about usage
of the trochleas lateral and medial cut extremities like shown in photos 3
& 4.

2) Recommendations for their full study, i.e. methodology references on how
to study this kind of materials, other than typological and basic
descriptive analyses.


My best regards to all,


-- MJ


*Maria João Valente*

Professora Auxiliar


Universidade do Algarve

Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais

Campus de Gambelas

8000-117 Faro – Portugal

Email: mvalente at ualg.pt

Telefone: +351 289 800 900 (ext. 7625)
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