The analysis and interpretation of fragmented mammoth bone assemblages : experiments in bone fracture with archaeological applications
The study of flaked mammoth bone tools from the Late Pleistocene is a topic that has inspired great interest in the archaeological community for the last 40 years. The interpretation of evidence of culturally modified mammoth bone tools has varied widely across both time and space. At different times and in different places, flaked bone toolmaking has been interpreted across the geographic expanse of the North American continent, from Beringia to central Mexico, and through a vast timeframe, from 120,000 years ago, until as recently as 10,000 years ago. The study of these purported flaked bone tool assemblages has taken many forms, and has involved efforts to understand broken mammoth bone assemblages by drawing analogies to stone toolmaking strategies, by understanding the multitude of taphonomic processes that affect archaeological bone assemblages, and by attempting to differentiate the effects of natural and cultural processes. This thesis reports on a series of experiments designed to lend new actualistic evidence to the debate surrounding flaked bone toolmaking. These experiments include investigations into the effect of different environmental conditions on the degradation of bones, the flaking characteristics
Karr, Landon Patrick
Bone Fracture ; Taphonomy ; Experimental Archaeology ; Fragmentation ; Bone Flaking ; Environmental Archaeology ; Actualistic Studies ; Mammoth ; Pleistocene ; New World ; Rockfall ; Kent's Cavern ; Inglewood ; Lange/Ferguson ; Owl Cave
The analysis and interpretation of fragmented mammoth bone assemblages : experiments in bone fracture with archaeological applications. The study of flaked mammoth bone tools from the Late Pleistocene is a topic that has inspired great interest in the archaeological community for the last 40 years. The interpretation of evidence of culturally modified mammoth bone tools has varied widely across both time and space. At different times and in different places, flaked bone toolmaking has been interpreted across the geographic expanse of the North American continent, from Beringia to central Mexico, and through a vast timeframe, from 120,000 years ago, until as recently as 10,000 years ago. The study of these purported flaked bone tool assemblages has taken many forms, and has involved efforts to understand broken mammoth bone assemblages by drawing analogies to stone toolmaking strategies, by understanding the multitude of taphonomic processes that affect archaeological bone assemblages, and by attempting to differentiate the effects of natural and cultural processes. This thesis reports on a series of experiments designed to lend new actualistic evidence to the debate surrounding flaked bone toolmaking. These experiments include investigations into the effect of different environmental conditions on the degradation of bones, the flaking characteristics
analysis_interpretation fragment bone_assemblage bone fracture archaeological_application study flake bone tool late_pleistocene topic inspire great interest archaeological community interpretation evidence culturally modify bone tool vary widely across_time space different time different place flake bone interpret across geographic expanse north_american continent central mexico vast timeframe recently study flake bone tool assemblage take many form involve effort broken bone assemblages draw analogy stone strategy multitude taphonomic_process affect archaeological_bone assemblage attempt differentiate effect natural cultural process report series design lend new evidence debate_surround flake bone include investigation effect_different environmental_condition degradation bone flake characteristic