Abstract

The article presents the results of unshaped and formal bone tools investigation from the Pleistocene deposits found in the south gallery of Denisova Cave. Bone retouchers of the Late Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic were found in layers 12 and 11, respectively. It has been established that, compared to the Middle Paleolithic retouchers, tools of this type from layer 11 are distinguished by the shaping processing of bone blanks. Fragments of diaphysis have traces of deliberate truncation of transverse edges, trimming of longitudinal edges, removal of sharp edges of fractures by retouching. In addition to the percussion technique, these retouchers were also used for pressure technique retouching, which is consistent with tool samples from the accompanying lithic industry. Formal bone tools from layer 11 include two intact and fragmented polishers, two pins, an awl fragment, a perforator, an eyed needle, and an indeterminate tool blank. These tools were used mainly at various stages of the tanning production: polishers were used for primary processing of hides in order to soften them and remove the hide cuttings, an awl and perforator—for perforating a relatively thick or thinner hide, a needle—when stitching a carefully finished material, stringing or attaching ornaments to clothes. The detailed analysis made it possible to identify a characteristic set of wear signs on each of the tools indicating their long-term use. The toolkit is supplemented by unique bone pins, which, based on the nature of processing and traces of disposal, could have been used to fasten various parts of the costume of the Upper Paleolithic inhabitants of Denisova Cave.

Keywords

Denisova Cave, Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic, bone tools, retouchers, technological analysis, experimental use-wear analysis

Shunkov M.V.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1388-2308

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

Kozlikin M.B.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5082-3345

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

Fedorchenko A.Yu.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7812-8037

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

References

Baumann M., Fedorchenko A.Yu., Kozlikin M.B., Plisson H., Shunkov M.V. The Middle and Upper Paleolithic Bone Tools from South Chamber of Denisova Cave. In Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories. Novosibirsk: IAET SB RAS Publ., 2019, vol. XXIV, pp. 32-36. (In Russ.). doi: 10.17746/2658-6193.2018.24.032-036

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Villa P., Mahieu E. Breakage patterns of human long bones. Journal of Human Evolution, 1991, No. 21, pp. 27-48.

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