Siekiant suprasti ruonių vaidmenį pietryčių Baltijos subneolito bendruomenėse: varpos kaulų iš Šventosios 3 gyvenvietės tyrimai

The article presents the results of traceological studies of two harp seal bacula, from the Šventoji 3 site (coastal Lithuania). As a result of the microscopic observations carried out, technological and functional microtraces were discovered on both artefacts. The analysis of the use-wear traces, which are better readable only on one of the artefacts, allowed for a hypothesis that they arose as a result of contact with well-tanned and dry hide. This made it possible to assign to the studied artefacts the function of objects of everyday use, having direct contact with this material. The findings were illustrated with the current knowledge on the use of bacula in prehistory, historical times and among archaic communities known from ethnographic observations.Straipsnyje pateikiami pajūryje, Šventosios 3 gyvenvietėje, rastų dviejų grenlandinių ruonių varpos kaulų trasologinių tyrimų rezultatai. Atlikus mikroskopinius abiejų kaulų tyrimus, ant jų buvo aptikta gamybos ir naudojimo žymių. Naudojimo žymės buvo ryškesnės ant vieno iš tirtų radinių. Kaulų tyrimai leido iškelti hipotezę, kad šios žymės atsirado po sąlyčio su gerai išdirbta sausa oda. Todėl galima manyti, jog tirti dirbiniai buvo kasdienio naudojimo daiktai, turėję nuolatinį kontaktą su tokia oda. Pristatytų dirbinių naudojimas iliustruotas etnografinių tyrimų duomenimis ir šiuo metu turimomis žiniomis apie varpos kaulų naudojimą priešistoriniais ir istoriniais laikais

La complejidad de las huellas de uso en puntas de proyectil de sílex – Una contribución para el debate

In this paper we describe an experiment designed to provide guidelines for a detailed classification of use-wear traces formed on flint projectile points, resulting from striking a range of organic and non-organic materials. We verify the existing findings, and pay particular attention to microscopic damage (retouches, polish and striations). The list of traces characteristic for projectile points is formed mainly on the basis of morphology (current microscopic observations) and only indirectly on functional classifications. In the course of our experiment 122 arrowhead replicas were used: 33 points, 31 arrowheads with bifacial surface retouch, 26 trapezes and 16 composite arrowheads (made of a lateral inset/barb and point inset each). Our classification in- cludes 22 diagnostic features, divided into 4 main groups: fractures, retouch, polish and striations. Among the fractures, the most characteristic were the complex splintered ones as well as certain types of fractures with retouch (especially those with spin-off spalls). Among the retouched ones and crush-outs the most abundant ones exhibited burin-like fractures and spin-off spalls, though retouches such as: toothed, splintered, post-impact and splintered from the shaft were considered as important too. Attention was also paid to slanting edge retouch, which is not found on other types of functional tools. Among the different types of polish special attention was given to those formed as a result of a tool’s rapid friction against a hard material at the point of impact. Prime importance was given to patch-like and linear polish; large significance was also given to specific types of ridge and edge polish. Linear traces were found to be of little use for the interpretation of a projectile weapon’s insets function. Our observations sug- gest that the identification of prehistoric projectile points may require a much more precise analysis than those hitherto conducted. Relying solely on the basic types of post-impact traces is inadequate. Traces of this type are in fact only present on a small percentage of the total number of insets. In addition, some kinds of them formed only in specific circumstances, in which both the type of arrowhead and the kind of target were of importance.En este artículo describimos un experimento programado para proporcionar pautas para una clasificación detallada de las huellas de uso generadas en las puntas de proyectil de sílex por golpeo sobre una variedad de materiales orgánicos y no orgánicos. Veri- ficamos los resultados existentes y prestamos especial atención al daño microscópico (retoques, pulido y estrías). La lista de trazas características de las puntas de proyectil se estableció principalmente sobre la base de la morfología (observaciones microscó- picas actuales) y solo indirectamente a partir de las clasificaciones funcionales. En el transcurso del experimento se utilizaron 122 réplicas de puntas de flecha: 33 puntas, 31 puntas de flecha con retoque bifacial, 26 trapecios y 16 puntas de flecha compuestas (realizada cada una mediante la inserción de una punta y una barba lateral). Nuestra clasificación incluye 22 rasgos de diagnóstico, divididos en 4 grupos principales: fracturas, retoque, pulido y estriaciones. Entre las fracturas, las más características fueron los astillamientos complejos, así como ciertos tipos de fracturas con retoque (especialmente las producidas con levantamiento de esquirlas). Entre los retocados y los aplastados, los más abundantes mostraban fracturas burilantes y negativos de esquirlas, aunque retoques denticulados, astillados postimpacto y astillados del astil se consideraron importantes. También se prestó atención a los retoques en el filo que no se encuentran en otros tipos de útiles funcionales. Entre los diferentes tipos de pulidos, se prestó especial atención a los producidos como resultado de la rápida fricción del útil contra un material duro en el punto de impacto. Se dio una gran im- portancia al pulido lineal y al extenso; también se consideraron significativos los tipos específicos de pulido en aristas y bordes. Se encontró que las huellas lineales son de poca utilidad para la interpretación de la función de las inserciones de los proyecti- les. Nuestras observaciones sugieren que la identificación de puntas de proyectiles prehistóricos puede requerir un análisis mucho más preciso que los realizados hasta ahora. Depender únicamente de los tipos básicos de estigmas posteriores al impacto es inadecuado. Las huellas de este tipo solo están presentes en un pequeño porcentaje del número total de inserciones. Además, algunos tipos de ellas se formaron solo en circunstancias específicas, en las que tanto el tipo de punta de flecha como el tipo de blanco tenían importancia

Krzemienne zbrojniki broni miotanej z ziemi chełmińskiej w świetle analiz traseologicznych i badań eksperymentalnych

In this paper we describe an experiment designed to give a basis for a detailed classification of use-wear traces formed on flint projectile points, resulting from hitting of different types of organic and inorganic materials. We aim for verification of the existing findings in this matter, with particular attention devoted to microscopic damage (microcrush-outs, polish and striations). The list of traces characteristic for projectile points is formed mainly basing on morphology (current microscopic observations) and only indirectly on functional classification.In the course of our experiment 122 arrowhead replicas were used: 33 points, 31 arrowheads with bifacial surface retouch, 26 trapezes and 16 composite arrowheads (made of a lateral inset/barb and point inset each).Our classification includes 22 diagnostic features, divided into 4 main groups: fractures, retouching, polish and striations. Among fractures most characteristic were the complex splintered ones as well as certain types of fractures with retouch (especially those with spin-off spalls). Among the retouched ones and crush-outs the most abundant ones exhibited microburin and spin-off spalls, though retouches such as: toothed, splintered, post-impact and splintered near the holder were considered as important, too. Attention was also paid to slanting edge retouch, which is not found on other types of functional tools.Among different types of polish special attention was given to those formed as a result of a tool’s rapid friction against a hard material at the point of impact. Prime importance was given to patch-like and linear polish; large significance was also given to specific types of ridge and edge polish. Linear traces were found to be of little use for the interpretation of a missile weapon’s insets function.Our observations suggest that the identification of prehistoric projectile points may require a much more precise analysis than those hitherto conducted. Relying solely on the basic types of post-impact traces is inadequate. Traces of this type are in fact only present on a small percentage of the total number of insets. In addition, some kinds of them formed only in specific circumstances, in which both the type of arrowhead and the kind of target were of importance.Information obtained through the experiment and traceological research was used for the analysis of archaeologically obtained arrowhead insets. These are dated from Terminal Palaeolithic to Early Bronze Age and they came from sites located in the north-eastern parts of the Polish Plain.Głównym celem badań opisanych w artykule była szczegółowa klasyfikacja śladów użytkowych, powstających na krzemiennych zbrojnikach broni miotanej po trafieniu w różne typy materiałów organicznych i nieorganicznych. Badania te miały umożliwić weryfikację dotychczasowych ustaleń w tym względzie, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem problemu grupy zniszczeń mikroskopowych (mikrowykruszeń, wyświeceń i śladów liniowych). Aby umożliwić identyfikację wszystkich istotnych elementów diagnostycznych listę mikrośladów charakteryzujących zbrojniki broni miotanej tworzono na podstawie bieżących obserwacji mikroskopowych, jedynie pośrednio opierając się o funkcjonujące schematy. Stworzona klasyfikacja obejmuje 22 cechy diagnostyczne, podzielone na 4 grupy główne: złamania, retusze, wyświecenia i ślady liniowe. Informacje uzyskane na drodze badań traseologicznych i doświadczalnych wykorzystano do analizy zbrojników broni miotanej datowanych na okres od paleolitu schyłkowego do wczesnej epoki brązu, pochodzących ze stanowisk archeologicznych znajdujących się w północno-wschodniej części Niżu Polskiego

Krzemienne zbrojniki broni miotanej z ziemi chełmińskiej w świetle analiz traseologicznych i badań eksperymentalnych

In this paper we describe an experiment designed to give a basis for a detailed classification of use-wear traces formed on flint projectile points, resulting from hitting of different types of organic and inorganic materials. We aim for verification of the existing findings in this matter, with particular attention devoted to microscopic damage (microcrush-outs, polish and striations). The list of traces characteristic for projectile points is formed mainly basing on morphology (current microscopic observations) and only indirectly on functional classification. In the course of our experiment 122 arrowhead replicas were used: 33 points, 31 arrowheads with bifacial surface retouch, 26 trapezes and 16 composite arrowheads (made of a lateral inset/barb and point inset each). Our classification includes 22 diagnostic features, divided into 4 main groups: fractures, retouching, polish and striations. Among fractures most characteristic were the complex splintered ones as well as certain types of fractures with retouch (especially those with spin-off spalls). Among the retouched ones and crush-outs the most abundant ones exhibited microburin and spin-off spalls, though retouches such as: toothed, splintered, post-impact and splintered near the holder were considered as important, too. Attention was also paid to slanting edge retouch, which is not found on other types of functional tools. Among different types of polish special attention was given to those formed as a result of a tool’s rapid friction against a hard material at the point of impact. Prime importance was given to patch-like and linear polish; large significance was also given to specific types of ridge and edge polish. Linear traces were found to be of little use for the interpretation of a missile weapon’s insets function. Our observations suggest that the identification of prehistoric projectile points may require a much more precise analysis than those hitherto conducted. Relying solely on the basic types of post-impact traces is inadequate. Traces of this type are in fact only present on a small percentage of the total number of insets. In addition, some kinds of them formed only in specific circumstances, in which both the type of arrowhead and the kind of target were of importance. Information obtained through the experiment and traceological research was used for the analysis of archaeologically obtained arrowhead insets. These are dated from Terminal Palaeolithic to Early Bronze Age and they came from sites located in the north-eastern parts of the Polish Plain.Głównym celem badań opisanych w artykule była szczegółowa klasyfikacja śladów użytkowych, powstających na krzemiennych zbrojnikach broni miotanej po trafieniu w różne typy materiałów organicznych i nieorganicznych. Badania te miały umożliwić weryfikację dotychczasowych ustaleń w tym względzie, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem problemu grupy zniszczeń mikroskopowych (mikrowykruszeń, wyświeceń i śladów liniowych). Aby umożliwić identyfikację wszystkich istotnych elementów diagnostycznych listę mikrośladów charakteryzujących zbrojniki broni miotanej tworzono na podstawie bieżących obserwacji mikroskopowych, jedynie pośrednio opierając się o funkcjonujące schematy. Stworzona klasyfikacja obejmuje 22 cechy diagnostyczne, podzielone na 4 grupy główne: złamania, retusze, wyświecenia i ślady liniowe. Informacje uzyskane na drodze badań traseologicznych i doświadczalnych wykorzystano do analizy zbrojników broni miotanej datowanych na okres od paleolitu schyłkowego do wczesnej epoki brązu, pochodzących ze stanowisk archeologicznych znajdujących się w północno-wschodniej części Niżu Polskiego

New evidences for core processing of non-flint, lithic materials in the Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of Poland

In the Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic core processing in Poland was dominated by flint raw materials. The present paper considers the occurrence of non-flint assemblages at the sites Lubrza and Ludowice (Polish Lowland). The focus is on recognition of petrographic studies, technology, typology and use-wear of inventories from both sites. The collections contain debitage, cores and different kinds of tools. As a result the identification of granite, sandstone, quartzite, gneisses, mudstones, slates and single minerals of quartzes and feldspars was established. The use-wear analysis brought good results only in case in porphyry artefacts. The described analyses are accompanied by a review of European non-flint assemblages from Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites and discussion of the role of this type of raw material in core processing

Origin of the ornamented bâton percé from the Gołębiewo site 47 as a trigger of discussion on long-distance exchange among Early Mesolithic communities of Central Poland and Northern Europe

This article describes evidence for contact and exchange among Mesolithic communities in Poland and Scandinavia, based on the interdisciplinary analysis of an ornamented bâton percé from Gołębiewo site 47 (Central Poland). Typological and chronological-cultural analyses show the artefact to be most likely produced in the North European Plain, during the Boreal period. Carbon-14 dating confirms the antiquity of the artefact. Ancient DNA analysis shows the artefact to be of Rangifer tarandus antler. Following this species designation, a dispersion analysis of Early-Holocene reindeer remains in Europe was conducted, showing this species to exist only in northern Scandinavia and north-western Russia in this period. Therefore, the bâton from Gołębiewo constitutes the youngest reindeer remains in the European Plain and south-western Scandinavia known to date. An attempt was made to determine the biogeographic region from which the antler used to produce the artefact originates from. To this end, comprehensive δ18O, δ13C and δ15N isotope analyses were performed. North Karelia and South Lapland were determined as the most probable regions in terms of isotopic data, results which correspond to the known distribution range of Rangifer tarandus at this time. In light of these finds, the likelihood of contact between Scandinavia and Central Europe in Early Holocene is evaluated. The bâton percé from Gołębiewo is likely key evidence for long-distance exchange during the Boreal period

Garnys : an underwater riverine site with delayed Neolithisation in the southeastern Baltic

This paper presents the first results of both dryland and underwater investigations at the multi-period Garnys riverine site situated on the Žeimena River in eastern Lithuania. There, during 2017–2020 a professional diver and amateur archaeologist collected hundreds of Mesolithic-Neolithic archaeological finds made of wood, bone, antler, stone, and ceramic from the riverbed and on its bank. Moreover, in eroded places of the riverbed, the wooden remains of several fish weirs were observed. In 2021 professional archaeologists continued the research, including field investigations followed by various laboratory analyses. These included AMS 14C dating of 16 various ecofacts, artefacts and wooden constructions, wood and animal taxa determinations, and the results of traceological analysis of the flint and osseous artefacts. Our research demonstrates that the site was intensively used for hunting, gathering and fishing during the Mesolithic and subsequent Subneolithic and Neolithic. Intriguingly, there was no evidence for agriculture, while the numerous Neolithic ceramics largely follow the Subneolithic traditions. The Garnys site is therefore unique and a clear example for delayed Neolithisation in a forested and lacustrine area in the eastern Baltic region. During the Metal Ages, the site had been used exclusively for stationary fishing

Titnago apdirbimas ir naudojimas metalų epochoje. Kernavės ir Naudvario atvejai

This article analyses, how and why the flint was used after the widespread technology of metal production and processing. The flint collections of the late Bronze Age cemetery of Naudvaris (The district of Jurbarkas), discovered in 2001, and Iron Age settlements of Kernavė in the Pajauta valley (the district of Širvintos) were chosen for this research. This article analyses the flint discoveries in the raw material and techno-typological aspects, the microwear analysis was also applied to thirty of the flints. The research showed, that in Naudvaris the various quality local erratic flint was used and knapped locally. The major part of flints discovered in Kernavė had traces of bipolar-on-anvil technique. They were produced from a poor quality local erratic flint as well as reworked from old Stone Age crafts. Researching Bronze and Iron Age flint discoveries, it appeared that the flint was further used in the first millennium B. C. and the first millennium A. D., even though the raw material supplying strategy and its processing technique significantly changed in the Metal Age. Exclusively local erratic flint, as well as the Stone Age crafts, collected in eroded and windblown sands, were used for knapping. The bipolar-on-anvil technique was one of the main or even the only technique used to process the flint. The flint was used to ignite fires, as well as in other specialized domestic activities which cannot be identified as the data is lacking both in Lithuania and in Poland. The collecting of Stone Age crafts and flint discoveries in graves can be considered as the evidence of ritual knapping