“Seal scrapers” from Šventoji – In search of their possible function

Abstract

During the excavations carried out at the complex of Subneolitic-Neolithic sites in Šventoji, coastal Lithuania (sites 1, 4, 6 and 23), 27 unique bone products have been discovered. Due to the character of the use-wear and technological traces which are macroscopically readable on their surface they have been defined as scrapers. Dated to ca. 3000 cal BC, these tools are made of harp seal tibia, about 75% of them from right side bones. This article describes the procedure that was conducted in order to interpret the technology of production, ways of use and possible functions of these tools, and includes the experimental program directed to the activities which could have been carried out with such products within the specialized camps of Šventoji, such as processing of animal hides (including seal) with admixture of ochre or ash and fish scraping. The basis for the interpretations is the results of traceological and chemical (SEM-EDX) analysis of the artefacts and experimental tools. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that the analysed tools were most probably used for scraping the hides with the use of an ochre admixture. The presented research probably concludes a long period of speculations about the functions of these unique objects.