Prehistoric antler- and bone tools from Kaposújlak-Várdomb (South-Western Hungary)

Erika Gál
Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Recent excavations preceding the constructions of the motorway M7 in Southern Hungary opened a rather large prehistoric settlement which included finds from Late Neolithic (Lengyel culture), Late Copper Age (Pécel-Báden culture), Early Bronze Age (Somogyvár-Vinkovci culture) and Late Bronze Age (Urnfield culture) features.

A number of tools made from antler and bone have been identified during first stage of the study of animal bones from this site. Most of the implements were found in Early Bronze Age features that represent storage pits. In addition to a rather great number of antler fragments representing workshop debitage, 138 tools were found amongst almost 3,000 animal remains. Axes were the most common objects made from the antler of red deer. Points carved out from the metapodials of small ruminants were also frequent. Large points made from long bones of large ruminants and slender needles carved out from ribs were also present but less frequent. Although pig and wild boar yielded the second most abundant assemblage after cattle, only one fragment of tusk object was found. 

A few implements including a large ulna point, a fragment of massive chisel, small metapodial points, rhombus-shaped rib plates and a blade carved out from the diaphysis of a long bone were identified from the Neolithic (Lengyel culture) assemblage.

Forty antler- and bone tools as well as antler workshop debitage were found in the Late Copper Age (Pécel-Báden culture) features. Most of them represent antler axes and metapodial points but a tibia from hare and a fibula from wild boar also were pointed. 

Finally, the less abundant and divers assemblage of implements came from the Late Bronze Age (Urnfield culture) features. Nevertheless, it included a fragment of bone skate made from a cattle radius. According to the each holes drilled through the proximal and distal ends of the bone, it could be fixed by a string. Longitudinal marks on the polished surface would also confirm the role of this object.

The study of implements of animal origin and the bones representing food remains offer new information on the hunting strategies and animal husbandry in South-Western Transdanubia during the prehistoric periods.

Keywords: prehistory, antler, bone tool, Kaposújlak-Várdomb, South-Western Hungary

This research is granted by the OTKA Programme no. PD 71965.