Morphoscopical approach in material agent analysis: Cut marks produced by stone and metal tools from Early Bronze Age site Pasohlávky (Czech Republic)

Abstract

Cut marks left on animal bones are commonly found at archaeological sites, and the analyses based on certain differences within their micromorphological structure might help in the material determination of an artefact used in the butchery process. We present a new method for differentiating cut marks made with stone and metal tools by examining the morphoscopical characteristics using a light microscope at a low magnification. Additional goals are testing the soft tissues and cleaning medium impact on the specific cut mark characteristics. The replicas of six types of stone artefacts, together with a bronze knife replica were produced, and also one modern flat-edged steel knife was included for comparison. The experimental cutting on metapodials and ribs of a domestic pig was inflicted within four types of tissues – fresh bone, fibrous tissues, fleshed and roasted bone. The data show that the characteristics of cut marks display evidence of differences between individual materials used in tool production. The condition of bone and the presence of soft tissues lead to differences in cutting process obtaining to the variable structure of cut mark and needs to be considered in the following experimental studies.Moreover, discussion concerning material preference in butchery tool production dated to the Early Bronze Age in the Czech Republic might be supported with such osteological evidence. This study aims to describe cut marks recorded in archaeozoological material from the Pasohlávky site (South Moravia region, Czech Republic) dated to the Early Bronze Age. The methodology expresses enough efficiency in examination of butchery artefacts and the results could be applied in the following analyses within the context of Early Bronze Age South-Moravian sites.