Skeletal materials : their structure, technology and utilisation c. A.D. 400-1200
In the absence of previously published integrated studies, an attempt is made here to lay the foundations for a systematic approach to the examination of artifacts made from skeletal materials. Four principal groups of raw material are discussed in terms of formation, structure, morphology and availability : skeletal bone from species found within the geographical limits of the study; antlers from extant species of deer and from reindeer, which are no longer found within the regionivory from mammalian teeth, including the tusks of walrus, elephant and mammoth; keratinous hard tissues (which are not of skeletal derivation but which may usefully be considered in association with the other materials reviewed here). The mechanical properties of these materials are compared and contrasted, their fitness for particular roles being demonstrated scientifically : the reasons for the widespread preference of antler as a raw material are identified in this way and certain constructional features of composite objects explained. Working methods used in manufacture are discussed on the basis of close examination of the objects themselves, together with other evidence from archaeological sources and, to some extent, from
MacGregor, Arthur
Skeletal materials : their structure, technology and utilisation c. A.D. 400-1200. In the absence of previously published integrated studies, an attempt is made here to lay the foundations for a systematic approach to the examination of artifacts made from skeletal materials. Four principal groups of raw material are discussed in terms of formation, structure, morphology and availability : skeletal bone from species found within the geographical limits of the study; antlers from extant species of deer and from reindeer, which are no longer found within the regionivory from mammalian teeth, including the tusks of walrus, elephant and mammoth; keratinous hard tissues (which are not of skeletal derivation but which may usefully be considered in association with the other materials reviewed here). The mechanical properties of these materials are compared and contrasted, their fitness for particular roles being demonstrated scientifically : the reasons for the widespread preference of antler as a raw material are identified in this way and certain constructional features of composite objects explained. Working methods used in manufacture are discussed on the basis of close examination of the objects themselves, together with other evidence from archaeological sources and, to some extent, from
skeletal_material structure technology utilisation absence previously_publish integrated study_attempt make lay_foundation systematic_examination artifact make skeletal_material principal group raw_material discuss_term formation structure morphology availability skeletal bone specie find_within geographical limit study antler extant specie deer long find_within mammalian teeth include elephant hard tissue skeletal derivation may usefully consider association material review mechanical property material compare_contrasted fitness particular_role demonstrate scientifically reason widespread preference antler raw_material identify way certain constructional feature composite object explain working method_use manufacture discuss basis close_examination object together_evidence archaeological source extent