A classification of objects made of bone, antler, tooth and horn from the Early Bronze Age fortified settlement in Maszkowice

Abstract

Excavations at the Early Bronze Age fortified settlement in Maszkowice (Western Carpathians) carried out in 1959-1975 and 2010-2017 produced, among other finds, a collection of 56 artifacts made of bone, antler, teeth and horn. They were classified using formal criteria (size, shape, decoration), as well as character of use-wear traces into four types of ornaments (plaque, pendants, pins, dress items made of long bones) and seven types of tools (awls, perforators, spatulas, tanning tool, polishers, antler picks and hafted chopping tools). In the description of each type, we focus on its functional interpretation, discussing some opinions already existing in the literature. In the final section of the paper, we also analyze the frequency of each type in different contexts, as well as on the site in general