Analytical approaches to the manufacture and use of bone artifacts in prehistory
Mesolithic and Neolithic bone artifacts were analyzed with the aim of contributing knowledge regarding technological achievements, food procurement and processing, personal adornment and other aspects of social behavior. Part I presents the methodology involving the integration of data obtained through experimental replication, surface traces, metric analysis, ethnographic analogy, and archaeological context. Replicative experiments were performed to reconstruct manufacturing techniques and test functional hypotheses. Surficial topography was examined using a scanning electron microscope for the identification of manufacturing and use traces. Five key measurements were devised for evaluating gross morphology and working surfaces of artifacts. Where applicable, ethnographic analogy was employed as a source for hypotheses about artifact function. Archaeological context was studied to reveal distributional and associational patterns that might contribute evidence pertaining to the use of bone artifacts and their temporal development. Emphasis was placed on comparing data derived from the various methods to determine whether the y supported or refuted one another. Interpretations were formulated on the basis of
Olsen, Sandra Lynn
Mesolithic; Neolithic
Analytical approaches to the manufacture and use of bone artifacts in prehistory. Mesolithic and Neolithic bone artifacts were analyzed with the aim of contributing knowledge regarding technological achievements, food procurement and processing, personal adornment and other aspects of social behavior. Part I presents the methodology involving the integration of data obtained through experimental replication, surface traces, metric analysis, ethnographic analogy, and archaeological context. Replicative experiments were performed to reconstruct manufacturing techniques and test functional hypotheses. Surficial topography was examined using a scanning electron microscope for the identification of manufacturing and use traces. Five key measurements were devised for evaluating gross morphology and working surfaces of artifacts. Where applicable, ethnographic analogy was employed as a source for hypotheses about artifact function. Archaeological context was studied to reveal distributional and associational patterns that might contribute evidence pertaining to the use of bone artifacts and their temporal development. Emphasis was placed on comparing data derived from the various methods to determine whether the y supported or refuted one another. Interpretations were formulated on the basis of
analytical_approach manufacture_use bone artifact prehistory mesolithic_neolithic bone artifacts analyzed aim_contribute knowledge regard technological achievement food procurement processing personal_adornment aspects_social behavior part present involve integration data_obtain experimental replication surface trace metric analysis ethnographic analogy archaeological_context perform reconstruct manufacturing technique test functional hypothesis topography examine use scan_electron microscope identification manufacturing use trace key measurement devise evaluate gross morphology work surface artifact applicable ethnographic analogy employ source hypothesis artifact function archaeological_context study reveal distributional associational pattern might_contribute evidence pertain use bone artifacts temporal development emphasis_place compare data_derive various method determine_whether support refute one_another interpretations formulate basis