[Bonetools] Neolithic artefacts

[PUTELAT Olivier]

Objet : Neolithic artefacts

Dear colleagues, I wish you a happy new year.

I write in hopes that you may be able to lend me a hand in analysing some recently excavated Neolithic bone artefacts.

In 2016, excavations at Holtzheim (15 km west of Strasbourg, Alsace, France) turned up a human double-burial in a silo-pit (n° 1129), dated to the recent Neolithic, the ‘Munzingen’ period, around 3700 BCE. A dog skeleton was associated with the burial, individual 2 especially.

 A ceramic vase was also found above the left shoulder of individual 2. In contact with the vase, and under the shoulder and forearm of the individual 2, we as well discovered three bone artifacts (fig. 1129-OTR).



 Object 01655-OTR-1129-1 was made from a bovid metacarpal and has a rectangular shape (length 203 mm). The dorsal surface of the metacarpal is polished and well preserved throughout its length. Two holes were drilled through proximal epiphysis. The medial and lateral sides of the bone were detached when the object was manufactured. This is also the case for most of the palmar surface, of which only the distal quarter is still represented. The inner portion of the dorsal surface is polished on its proximal three quarters.



 Objects 01655-OTR-1129-2 and 01655-OTR-1129-3 were manufactured from an ulna and a bird's radius. The bird in question was probably a ‘Cygne de Bewick’ (Whistling Swan, Cygnus bewickii). The epiphyses have been separated from the diaphyses.



I wonder do you know of similar deposits? And how would you interpret the function of these objects?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards, Olivier.


Olivier PUTELAT
ARCHEOLOGIE ALSACE (PAIR)
Service d'Archéologie et Recherches Scientifiques - Laboratoire de Bio-Archéologie - Archéozoologue
Dr.  Chercheur associé à l’UMR 7041 - Archéologies environnementales - Maison de l'Archéologie et de l'Ethnologie, Nanterre

Tél : 06 70 00 04 44
olivier.putelat at archeologie.alsace<mailto:olivier.putelat at archeologie.alsace>
11 rue Jean-François Champollion
F-67600 SELESTAT
France
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