The theme of this page are scientific experiments and / or experiences on the manufacture and use of „osseous“ material made by the WBRG membres (or related to the WBRG group). The page is edited and maintained by Éva David (CNRS, France). Please contact her for enquiries, contributions etc.
Questionaire ethno bone objects
Alice Choyke developed a questionnaire for ethnographic bone objects. Anybody working with ethnographic bone objects or being in contact with people doing so is welcome to download the questionnaire and return the answers to Alice at choyke@ceu.hu.
download
Chop versus Cut Marks on Bone
Okaluk TR, Greenfield HJ. 2022. Macroscopic Chop Mark Identification on Archaeological Bone: An Experimental Study of Chipped Stone, Ground Stone, Copper, and Bronze Axe Heads on Bone. Quaternary 5(1), 15.
Manufacturing Technique Definition
Fitches A., Elliott B. 2024. Knowing the drill: Investigating Mesolithic Perforation Technologies Through Experiment, Traceology, and Photogrammetry. EXARC Journal 2024(3), 10760.
David É. 2023. The drilling technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 5’08, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03926307
David É. 2023. The boring technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 3’43, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-0392624
David É. 2023. The filing technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 3’10, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03926255
David É. 2023. The grinding technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 3’52, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03926287
David É. 2023. The scraping technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 7’47, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03927292
David É. 2023. The grooving technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 6’30, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03927319
David É. 2023. The sawing technique. Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie René Ginouvès/ Vanessa Tubiana-Brun (éd.), Nanterre, 2015, 6’29, Couleur, Français-Anglais. halshs-03927301
Taphonomy vs Use patterns
Domínguez‐Rodrigo M., Pizarro‐Monzo M., Cifuentes‐Alcobendas G., Vegara‐Riquelme M., Jiménez‐García B., Baquedano E. 2024. Computer vision enables taxon-specific identification of African carnivore tooth marks on bone. Nature Communications Scientific Reports 14:688.
Courtenay L. A., Herranz-Rodrigo D., Huguet R., Maté-González, González-Aguilera D., Yravedra J. 2020. Obtaining new resolutions in carnivore tooth pit morphological analyses: A methodological update for digital taphonomy. PLoS ONE 15(10), e0240328.
Gilson S.-P., Gates St-Pierre Ch., Lominy M., Lessa A. 2021. Shark teeth used as tools: An experimental archaeology study. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 35, 102733.
Cuenca-Solana D., Manca L., Romagnoli Fr., Campmas É. 2023.
Taphonomic effects in Archaelogical contexts: Ananalytical experimental protocol to improve archaeomalacology research.
PALEO – Revue d’archéologie préhistorique, 2022(hors série), 396-413.
Knapping Tools (Antler Pressure Flaker/Hammers, Retouching Tools)
David É., Sørensen M., Diemer S., Santaniello F., Vatsvåg Nielsen S. 2023. Maglemosian in contact: The disruptive invention of stone pressure flaking on the curve crutch 7000 CAL BC. In Éva David & Eric Hrnčiarik (dir.), Contact, circulation, exchange. Proceedings of the Modified Bone & Shell UISPP Commission Conference (2-3 March 2017, University of Trnava), 52-76. Oxford: Archaeopress Archaeology (Industrie de l’os préhistorique — XV).
Baumann M., Maury S. 2022. Identification de nouveaux percuteurs en bois de cervidé dans quelques gisements solutréens de Dordogne-Charente, approche tracéologique. PALEO — Revue d’archéologie préhistorique 32 : 74-97.
Baumann M. Maury S., Pilsson H. 2022. Le compresseurs solutréens. In Laureline Cattelain, Alison Smolderen, Marie Gillard (éds.), Archéologues Malgré-Tout, Apporter sa pierre pour y voir clair. Mélanges offerts à Claire Bellier et Pierre Cattelain (pp. 191–211). Treignes, Éditions du Cedarc/Musée du Malgré-Tout (Guides archéologiques du Malgré-Tout).
Hutson J. M., Villaluenga A., Garcia-Moreno A., Turner E., Gaudzinski-Windheuser S. 2018. On the use of metapodials as tools at Schöningen 13II-4. In, J. M. Hutson, A. García-Moreno, E. S. Noack, E. Turner, A. Villaluenga & S. Gaudzinski-Windheuser (eds.), The origins of bone tools technologies. “Retouching the Palaeolithic: becoming Human and the origins of bone tool technology” Conference at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, 21-23 October 2015, 53-92. Mainz, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum (Tagungen 35).
Mozota M. 2018. Experimental programmes with retouchers: where do we stand and where do we go now? In, J. M. Hutson, A. García-Moreno, E.S. Noack, E. Turner, A. Villaluenga & S. Gaudzinski-Windheuser (eds.), The origins of bone tools technologies. “Retouching the Palaeolithic: becoming Human and the origins of bone tool technology” Conference at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, 21-23 October 2015, 15-32. Mainz, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum (Tagungen 35).
Bone flakes from Debitage
David É., Cueva Temprana A., Orłowska J. 2022. Bone flakes from traditional metapodial reduction in Postglacial deposits. In Hans Peeters & Ole Grøn (eds.), Hidden dimensions: Aspects of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer landscape use and non-lithic technology, 235-259. Leiden: Sidestone Press.
Processing Plants/Hide by Scraping with Bone Tools
Osipowicz G, Orłowska J, Cristiani E, Bosiak M, Kubiak-Martens L, Czebreszuk J, Kubiak-Martens L., Czebreszuk J., Makowiecki D. 2024. Notched implements made of scapulae (Bruszczewo-type tools)—A problem solved? Discovering cereal- and legume-threshing techniques in Early Bronze Age Europe through traceological analysis and residue studies. PLoS ONE 19(9): e0308700.
Osipowicz G., Piliciauskas, G., Piličiauskienė G., Bosiak M. 2019. “Seal scrapers” from Šventoji – In search of their possible function. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 27, 101928.
Arrighi S., Bazzanella M., Boschin F., Wierer U. 2016. How to make and use a bone „spatula“, An experimental program based on the Mesolithic osseous assemblage of Galgenbühel/Dos de la Forca (Salurn/Salorno, BZ, Italy), 143-165. Amsterdam, Elsevier/Masson (Quaternary international 423).
Agricultural tools
Xie L. 2014. Early to Middle Holocene Earth-Working Implements and Neolithic Land-Use Strategies on the Ningshao Plain, China. Tucson, PhD-thesis University of Arizona.
Xie L., Lu X., Sun G., Huang W. 2017. Functionality and Morphology: Identifying Si Agricultural Tools from Among the Hemudu Scapular Implements in Eastern China. – Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 24, 377-423.
Fracture Patterns (Use Wear)
Bodorovski A.P., Tabarev A.V. 2016. Modelling the deformation of bone points: Archaeological and experimental data. Archaeology Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 44(1), 87-92.
Pétillon J.-M., Plisson H., Cattelain P. 2016. Thirty years of experimental research on the breakage patterns of Stone Age osseous points. Overview, methodological problems and current perspectives. In, I. Radu & S. Katsuhiro (eds.), Multidisciplinary approaches to the study of Stone Age weaponry, 47-63. Springer (Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology Series).
Shell / Antler Technology (Palaeolithic / Neolithic)
Langley A., Wisher I. 2019. Have you got the tine? Prehistoric Methods in Antler Working. EXARC Journal 2019-2
Médart F., Boucherat T. 2010. The Neolithic clapper-ring needle. Bulletin of the Society of primitive technology 40, 17-23.
Romagnoli F., Baena J., Pardo Naranjo A.I., Sarti L. 2017. Evaluating the performance of the cutting edge of Neanderthal shell tools: A new experimental approach. Use, mode of operation, and strength of Callista chione from a behavioural, Quina perspective, 216-228. Amsterdam, Elsevier/Masson (Quaternary International 427-A).
Tartar E., White R. 2013. The manufacture of Aurignacien split-based points: An experimental challenge. Journal of Archaeological Science 40(6), 2723-2745.
Tejero J.-M., Christensen M., Bodu P. 2012. Red deer antler technology and early modern humans in Southeast Europe: An experimental study. Journal of Archaeological Science 39 (2), 332-346.
Seeking the Primary Consistency of Raw Materials Used in Prehistory
Alhaique F. 1997. Do patterns of bone breakage differ between cooked and uncooked bones? An experimental approach. In, M. Kokabi & J. Wahl et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the 7th ICAZ Conference, Konstanz, 26/09-1/10/1994. Anthropozoologica 25-26, 49-56.
Osipowicz G. 2007. Bone and Antler: Softening techniques in prehistory of the North Eastern part of the Polish Lowlands in the light of experimental archaeology and micro trace analysis. euroREA 4, 1-22.
Website „Experiments with bone and antler“ of the Society for Experimental Prehistoric Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University of Toruń.
Steguweit L. 2012. Experimente zum Weichmachen von Elfenbein. In, Experimentelle Archäologie in Europa Bilanz 2010(9). Oldenburg, Europäische Vereinigung zur Förderung der Experimentellen Archäologie, 55-64.
Żurowski K. 1974. Zmiekczanie poroży i kości stosowane przez wytwórców w starrożytności i we wczesnym średniowieczu [Die altertümlichen une mittelalterlichen methoden der geweih- und knochenaufweichung], 3-21. Zeszyt 60 (Acta Universitatis Nicolai Copernici Archaeologia IV – Nauki Humanistyczno-Społeczne).
Żurowski K. 1953. Uwagi na temat obróbki rogu w okresie wczesno-średniowieczynm [Remarques sur la préparation de la corne au cours du haut Moyen-Âge]. Przeglad Archeologiczny IX(9), 395-402.
Working Ivory
Heckel C., Wolf S. 2014. Ivory debitage by fracture in the Aurignacian: experimental and archaeological examples. Journal of Archaeological Science 42, 1-14.
Khlopachev G.A., Girya E.Y. 2010. Secrets of ancient carvers of Eastern Europe and Siberia. Treatment techniques of ivory and reindeer antler in the Stone Age based on archaeological and experimental data. Saint-Petersburg, Nauka [in Russian, with English summary and legends], 143p.
Trophees / „Head“ Technology (Antler / Cranium / Tooth)
Averbouh A., Pétillon J.-M. 2011. Identification of “debitage” by fracturation on reindeer antler : case study of the Badegoulian levels at Cuzoul de Vers (Lot, France). In, J. Baron & B. Kufel-Diakowska (eds.), Written in Bones’ Studies on technological and social contexts of past faunal skeletal remains, Universytet Wroclawski Instytut Archeologii, Wroclaw, 41-52.
Baumann M., Maury S. 2013. Ideas no longer written in antler. Journal of Archaeological Science 40(1), 601-614.
David É. avec la collaboration scientifique de P. van der Sloot, J.-M. Léotard, C. Casseyas, M. Maingeot, O. Mollers, A. Bridault, J. Pelegrin, A.-L. Binois, P. Haesaerts. 2012. Liège -7000 ans, les derniers chasseurs préhistoriques de Wallonie : Archéologie du Mésolithique et Expérimentation, Rapport d’études préliminaires des zones 19 et 20 des fouilles de Tivoli. É. David (dir.), F. Bastien (ed.), Maison Archéologie Ethnologie Prod. / CNRS / Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) / coll. Préhistosite de Ramioul & CETREP. DVD 5 PAL, Toutes zones, Couleur, Format 16/9, Français, 26 minutes (33’30“), Public averti, Support pédagogique.
David É., Pelegrin J. 2009. Possible Late Glacial bone « retouchers » in the Baltic Mesolithic: The contribution of experimental tests with lithics on bone tools. In, M. Street, R.N.E. Barton & Th. Terberger (eds.), Humans, environment and chronology of the Late Glacial of the North European Plain; Proceedings of workshop 14 (Commission XXXII) of the XVth Congrès de l’Union internationale des sciences pré- et protohistoriques UISPP, Lisboa, 4th-9th of September 2006, 155-168. Mainz, Verlag des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums (Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseums Tagungen 6).
Lindemann M. 2001. Die Knochen- und Geweihbearbeitung im westeuropäischen Jungpleistozän, Experimentelle Archäologie in Deutschland Bilanz 2000. Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Nordwestdeutschland Beiheft 37, 7-27.
Little A., Elliott B., Conneller C., Pomstra D., Evans A.A., Fitton L. C., Holland A., Davis R., Kershaw R., O’Connor S., O’Connor T., Sparrow TH., Wilson A.S., Jordan P., Collins M.J., Colonese A.C., Craig O.E., Knight R., Lucquin A. J.A., Taylor B., Milner N. 2016. Technological Analysis of the World’s Earliest Shamanic Costume: A Multi-Scalar, Experimental Study of a Red Deer Headdress from the Early Holocene Site of Star Carr, North Yorkshire, UK. PLoS ONE April 13, 1-10.
Möller C. 1984. Das Erweichen von Geweih durch Wasseraufnahme. Hammaburg Neue Folge 6, 229-232
Pétillon J.-M., Ducasse S. 2012. From flakes to grooves: A technical shift in antler working during the Last Glacial Maximum in southwest France. Journal of Human Evolution 62(4), 435-465.
Tartar E. 2012. Réflexion autour de la fonction des retouchoirs en os de l’Aurignacien ancien. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française 109(1), 69-83.
Tejero J.-M., Christensen M., Bodu P. 2012. Red deer antler technology and early modern humans in southeast Europe: An experimental study. Journal of Archaeological Science 39 (2), 332-346.
Using Projectile Points
Pétillon J.-M., Bignon O., Bodu P., Cattelain P., Debout G., Langlais M., Laroulandie V., Plisson H., Valentin B. 2011. Hard core and cutting edge: experimental manufacture and use of magdalenian composite projectile tips. Journal of Archaeological Science 38(6), 1266-1283.
Processing Reindeer Carcasses
Skinning, cutting and cooking a reindeer using only bone and antler tools
Five short films about processing reindeer carcasses
Using Heavy-Duty Tools (Bevel-Ended) to Split Wood
Orłowska J., Osipowicz G. 2017. Searching for the function of the Early Holocene heavy-duty bevel-ended tools : remarks from experimentals and use-wear studies. In, N.N. Skakun & M.G. Zhilin (eds.), КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕК И НАЧАЛО ЗПОХИ РАННЕГО МЕТАЛЛА – ТЕХИОЛОГИЯ ИЗГОТОВЛЕНИЯ И ФУНКЦИИ КОСТЯИЫХ ИЗДЕЛИЙ В ДРЕВНИХ КУЛЬТУРАХ ЕВРАЗИИ [Stone and Early metal Ages. Technology of manufacturing and function of bone products in ancient cultures of Eurasia], 103-121. Kazan, Tartarstan Academy of Sciences (Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes 2).
Video: Reconstructing the Manufacture and Use of Mesolithic Bone „Adzes“ by Experiment
David É. with coll Seppä J. with contributions Pelegrin J., Hensen L., Gustavson L. 2005. The bone tools of 10.000 years ago. Maglemosian „bone adzes : The 2005 experiments (Denmark). A Lejre experimental centre project (n°15/05). É. David (dir.), M. Chevais (ed.), CNRS Images Prod./The Lejre Experimental Centre (Denmark). DVD PAL, All zones, Color, Format 4/3, English, 25 minutes (62,3 MB)
Video: Reconstructing the Manufacture and Use of Mesolithic Bone „Adzes“ by Experiment: Last results
David É. with coll Seppä J. with contributions Pelegrin J., Gustavson L. 2006. The bone tools of 10.000 years ago. Maglemosian „bone adzes : Last results. A Lejre experimental centre project (n°15/06). É. David (dir.), M. Chevais (ed.), Maison Archéologie Ethnologie Prod./The Lejre Experimental Centre (Denmark). Video H264, All zones, Color, Format mp4, English, 2 minutes (16,7 MB)
Using Bone Beamer
Beaming tools appears in considerable numbers in late Neolithic and Chalcolithic sites of the Great Hungarian Plain. They were in use for at least 1000 years. The artifacts are almost exclusively made from metatarsal of cattle or red deer. Tools are characterized by continuously renewed and sharp edged facets along the whole length of the diaphysis, sometimes on one, two, three or all four sides
In 2009 several beaming tools were replicated and experimentally tested by Markus Klek in cooperation with Alice Choyke.
Processing Bone and Antler (Neolithic forms)
A workshop on „Experimental Manufacture of Neolithic Bone and Antler Artefacts“ has been held in the Museum Burghalde in Lenzburg, Switzerland in 2009. The workshop was part of the master course „Bone and Antler as Raw Material for the Manufacture of Tools in the Neolithic and Roman Time: Typology, Chronology, Technology and Raw Material“ at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
A documentation of the workshop by Jörg Schibler and Sabine Deschler-Erb is online availabe at
http://ipna.unibas.ch/forschung/experimentneolknochen.htm
Processing Harpoons (Alaskan form)
An experimental project on the manufacture of harpoon points once used for sea mammal hunting by Alutiiq Natives of Alaska’s Kodiak archipelago was performed at the Department of Anthropology of the Oberlin College, USA in 2008 under supervision of Amy Margaris. It is documented in an 11-minute film.
Using Bone for Ice-Skating
From the Bronze Age until the beginning of the 20th century bones have been used for ice skating in Europe. In the majority of cases metapodiae and radii of cattle and horses were applied. An experiment on the use of bone skates was undertaken in 2002 by Hans Christian Küchelmann and Petar Zidarov. The experiment is documented in the proceedings of the WBRG meeting in Tallinn 2003:
Küchelmann H.C., Zidarov, P. 2005. Let’s skate together! Skating on Bones in the Past and Today. in: Luik, Heidi / Choyke, Alice M. / Batey, Colleen / Lougas, Lembi (eds.): From Hooves to Horns, from Mollusc to Mammoth – Manufacture and Use of Bone Artefacts from Prehistoric Times to the Present – Proceedings of the 4th Meeting of the ICAZ Worked Bone Research Group at Tallinn, 26th–31st of August 2003, 425-445. Tallinn (Muinasaja teadus 15).
The raw data are online available in the Bone Skates Database.
Webpage updated by éva david, the 16th of sept. 2024