[Bonetools] question about manufacturing time

[Jean-Marc Petillon]

Hi Naomi,

Years ago I made several sets of antler spear points (fork-based and bevel-based) for projectile experiments. For the first set I needed about 3 hours per point, then a little more than 2h per point for the second and third sets (experience has played a role here, I guess; the numbers are published in case you need to cite that). I am counting only the shaping of the blank into a finished point, not the extraction of the blank from the antler. So I would agree with the order of magnitude given by Justin and by Pétrequin for the "elaborate points".

Best,

Jean-Marc

May 28, 2020 10:15:50 AM CEST Justin Bradfield <jbradfield8 at gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Naomi

Several years ago I made my own bone arrow points similar to those used by the Bushmen. Made from scratch, including splitting the bone and grinding it into shape against an abrasive sandstone, took me about ~3-4 hours per point. I was by no means proficient, and it is possible that a skilled artisan would have taken much less time. Hope this helps. 

Regards

Justin

On Thu, 28 May 2020 at 03:06, Naomi Martisius <nlmartisius at ucdavis.edu> wrote:

Thank you for these responses. They are helpful! 

I should have been more specific. I meant projectile points. I know there are different types of bone projectile points, but I’d be glad for any sources on this subject. 

Best,
Naomi

On Wed, May 27, 2020 at 17:17 Akira Ono <ono at tmu.ac.jp> wrote:

Dear Naomi,
Which do you mean simple flaked or polished?
I attached my experimentation sample of bifacial flaked bone point made 
of a cattle femur bone. It has taken more or less five minutes.
Best regards,

Akira Ono
Prof. Emeritus, Tokyo Metropolitan University

----- Original Message -----
> On page 65, Pétrequin refers to simple bone points taking 5 minutes to 
make, elaborate ones 1-3 hours, which sounds about right.
> 
> 
> Pétrequin, Pierre
> 
> 1993        North wind, south wind: Neolithic technical choices in the 
Jura Mountains, 3700-2400 BC. In Technological Choices: Transformation 
in Material Cultures Since the Neolithic. P. Lemonnier, ed. Pp. 36-76. 
London: Routledge.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Nerissa Russell
> Professor
> Anthropology
> Cornell Institute of Archaeology & Material Studies
> 
> 
> From: Bonetools <bonetools-bounces at listserv.niif.hu> on behalf of 
Naomi Martisius <nlmartisius at ucdavis.edu>
> Reply-To: "Mailing list for archaeologists of the research group for 
the study of object and waste of bone, antler. ivory and horn." <
bonetools at listserv.niif.hu>
> Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 6:18 PM
> To: "Mailing list for archaeologists of the research group for the 
study of object and waste of bone, antler. ivory and horn." <bonetools@
listserv.niif.hu>
> Subject: [Bonetools] question about manufacturing time
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> Does anyone know of any research out there discussing how long it 
might take to manufacture bone or antler points?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Best,
> Naomi
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