Accuracy of the typological classifications of the Late Glacial and Early Holocene osseous projectile points according to the new AMS dates of selected artifacts from Poland

Justyna Orłowska,Grzegorz Osipowicz

doi:10.1007/s12520-021-01483-1

Justyna Orłowska, Grzegorz Osipowicz

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-021-01483-1

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Abstract

Late Glacial and Early Holocene bone and antler artifacts are recovered from all over the Polish Lowland. Elements of projectile weaponry, in the form of various points made of osseous raw materials, were an important part of hunter-gatherer equipment of that time. We present the results of AMS dating of a unique collection of thirteen artifacts that had previously been chrono-culturally attributed by means of relative dating using typological approaches only. The results obtained are considered alongside current knowledge and typological arrangements for these types of tools in Europe. We also attempt to determine the interpretative potential of the technological studies to which the discussed osseous points were subjected in terms of possibly identifying processing techniques that can be specific to the given periods of the Stone Age. Suggestions made in this respect are verified through the radiocarbon dating results.

Highlights

IntroductionLate Pleistocene and Early Holocene osseous points from the North European Plain — an outline of the state of research
Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene osseous points from the North European Plain — an outline of the state of researchOne of the most important attributes of Late Glacial and Early Holocene hunter-gatherer equipment are elements of projectile weaponry in the form of various points and barbed points1 made of osseous raw materials
The macroscopic and microscopic analyses of the surfaces of dated points have not revealed any taphonomic changes in the raw material used to produce the analyzed artifacts that could be an indicator of the use of old bone or re-use of the older product

Summary

Introduction

Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene osseous points from the North European Plain — an outline of the state of research. One of the most important attributes of Late Glacial and Early Holocene hunter-gatherer equipment are elements of projectile weaponry in the form of various points and barbed points made of osseous raw materials. Research that takes a broad perspective in this field is so far well represented in collective works such as Projectile Technology, edited by Heidi Knecht (1997); La chasse dans la Préhistoire. Hunting in Prehistory, edited by Claire Bellier, Pierre Cattelain, and Marcel Otte (2001); Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Stone Age Weaponry, edited by Radu Iovita and Katsuhiro Sano (2016); and Osseous Projectile Weaponry—Towards an Understanding of Pleistocene. Many of the Late Paleolithic and Mesolithic European osseous points come from sites with a well-dated context, such as Star Carr in England (Clark 1954; Elliott and Little 2018); Stellmoor, Friesack, and Hohen Vieheln in Germany (David 2005a, 2019; Gramsch 2000); Motala, Ulkestrup, and Svaerdborg in Scandinavia (Larsson 1983; David 2005a; Gummesson and Molin 2019); Šventoji, Zvejnieki 2, Pulli, Sūļagals, and Kunda-Lammasmägi in the East Baltic (Indreko 1948; Rimantienė 2005; David 2005b, 2006; Zagorska 2019; Piličiauskas et al 2020; Osipowicz et al 2020); and Zamostje 2, Ivanovskoye 3 and 7, Stanovoye 4, Veretye 1, and the Shigir peat bog in Northwestern Russia

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