Kisné Cseh Julianna – Somorjai József szerk.: Komárom – Esztergom Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 5. (Tata, 1997)

Antoni Judit: Ethnoarchological Experiments II (Producing Bone Tools)

Ethnoarchaeological Experiments n Producing Bone Tools Judit Antoni In parallel to our attempts to produce stone artifacts (instruments, tools and implements) at the Csabdi-Télizöldes site between 1986-1988 we continued with our attempts to produce Neolithic bone artifacts as well. We followed the same ethnoarchaeological methods described when the stone artifacts were presented. Both the participants and the working conditions were the same. The worked bone produced was modeled on artifacts from Lengyel culture sites and care was taken to use similar raw materials. Both fresh and older, residual bones found in the nearby forest were used in the experiments. Our experience showed that it was not at all difficult to produce bone tools, especially after we had acquired a bit of practice. The smaller objects (up to 10 cm) could be produced in a very short time indeed. It is sure that in the Neolithic humans understood the anatomy of bones very well and this knowledge affected the production of bone tools at a basic level and furthermore what that tool could be used for. The fact is that at the same time and place several different manufacturing techniques could be employed while formal variation within one type of artifact can be attributed to individual style and the competence of the person producing these objects. Bone artifacts could be used for a variety of activités. In spite of the fact that there was a development of certain types of artifacts used either in identical fashion for similar processes or on similar materials, the majority of the artifacts were used in many different ways most of which also differed from a kinematic point of view. Further experiments aim to throw light on the possibilities hidden within these bone artifacts and to extend our present knowledge of the scope of their utilization. 84