Methods of using antler hammer adzes in Mesolithic

Justyna Orłowska, Grzegorz Osipowicz Institute of Archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Society for Experimental Prehistoric Archaeology M e t hods of using a nt le r ha m m e r a dze s in M e solit hic The occurrence of antler artefacts on prehistoric European archaeological sites is one of the most interesting evidence of highly developed manufacturing system in these times (fig.1). Among the wide range of different categories of such artefacts, especially interesting, on account of the way of using, tend to be hammer adzes made of antler which are known from the Mesolithic archaeological sites (fig. 2,3). The main goal of our experimental program was to verify the existing theories about the possible ways of use of such a artefacts. For this purpose, a series of experiments were carried out including chopping, striking, cutting wood, meat, bone. The study was complemented with use-wear analysis, which allowed to document and study, all of the use-wear traces occurring during the using replicas of Mesolithic artefacts which have been made. Methods The deer antlers (Cervus elaphus) came from wild animals living in the Organic Farms in Czeplin and Dabrówka (Poland). All of the experiments were conducted at least four times and taking into account the different variables. In addition was made accurate photographic documentation and drawings at various stages of experimentation. After a series of experiments all of the tools were subjected to microscopic examination, to detect diagnostic use-wear traces. Varied duration of the experiments allowed to documented the different stages of all possible changes on the tools and summary them with selected archaeological material. Microscopic analysis were made using a Zeiss-Axiotech microscope (with magnification range up to 18x). Photomicrographs were taken with an Canon A620 camera attached to the microscope. fig.2 Mullerup, site 1, Denmark. fig.3 Krzyż Wielkopolski, site 7, Poland. (after Kabaciński J. et al., 2008, p.255)

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Methods of using antler hammer adzes in Mesolithic

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