Marta, Livius et al.: The Late Bronze Age Settlement of Nyíregyháza-Oros „Úr Csere” (Satu Mare, 2010)
X.Elisabeta Berendi: Archaeozoological Description of the Faunal Remnants
is dearly worked, since it has a slight furbished surface on the labial body. Also, an unidentified small fragment showed an unnaturally plain, polished surface, but as small it was, nothing more can be said about it. This bone ensemble is definitely not accidental, and it strongly confirms the ritual nature of this pit. III. Worked bones Many worked bones were found on this settlement, some of them with “usual” artificial marks, some of them highly interesting. Their description will be made in the order of the pit numbers. • Bos taurus rib (Cx9), polished at the ends of the fragment. Typical one, it is the result of rubbing or scrubbing something with it. • Bos taurus metatarsus - medioproximal fragment (Cx31). This is a very interesting worked bone, especially because there were 2 others on the site in different pits (Cx76, Cx261) with the exact same carvings. It is cut and sharpened at the diaphyseal part (medioproximal), drilled at the epiphysis through the whole length of the center of the bone having a regular round shape, and burnt on the inside wall of this whole. The shape reminding of some kind of torches, more theories are made upon these bones’ purpose of use. First of it is that these bones may have been used to extract tallow-grease for working leather and making it more waterproof (The fat in the marrow can be used to rub into leather making it more water-proof. This fat is called tallow. The holes in the bone could certainly extend through the length of the medullar cavity and are very rounded all through the bone30). This theory lacks the part concerning the bone element: it is usually observed in bones with more marrow (femur, humerus), and they are broken, not deliberately sharpened. Another theory31 is that they might be some kind of crude lance heads, but these are usually observed in later periods (many such bones from Roman sites with a hole drilled in the proximal end through the length of the tool) being related to metal-working. 30 Theory provided by Alice Choyke, personal communication 31 Theory provided by Francois Poplin, personal communication 155
