[Bonetools] "Glissen", skates?

[nathalie pil]

Dear colleagues,

In the early medieval archaeozoological collection of Domburg (coastal site in the Netherlands) are different types of skates (glissen).
Skates are frequently made out of horse or cattle bone. But in Domburg, 90% of the skates are made out of sheep/goat radii or metacarpi. These bones sometimes belong to immature animals.
The site knows a presence of 60% sheep, 31% cattle and 9% pig. The presence of sheep is probably caused by the landscape (they grazed on salt pastures) on one hand, and the wool/skin trade on the other hand.

Usewear shows that the bone surface changed by friction (see document in attachment).

Holes to fasten the skates to shoes are not present. Are these sheep/goat bones also skates? Can this wear be caused by an other activity?

Kinds regards,
Nathalie Pil

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