The method of debitage by bipartition in the exploitation of bone: An overview of its application in Neolithic groups of Sardinia

Abstract

This paper investigates some techniques and procedures applied by Neolithic groups of Sardinia for the exploitation of osseous materials. The identification of several rods and final objects in the rich collections of two sites, Su Coddu (Canelles, Cagliari) and Cuccuru s'Arriu (Cabras, Oristano), has enabled the individuation of the products potentially obtained by the method of production of blanks by bipartition. The morphological and technical characteristics of these objects suggest they were obtained by the application of a technique of breaking by indirect percussion in a splitting procedure. In order to verify this hypothesis, and to distinguish and characterize the marks on the archaeological remains better, we realized a programme of experimental reconstruction on bones of the type mainly exploited during the Late Neolithic era and the Early Copper Age in Sardinia: sheep and goat metapodials. From our replicative experiments and subsequent research in the faunal assemblages of Su Coddu and Cuccuru s'Arriu, we identified several remains associated with the production of blanks by the bipartition method. Finally, a discussion about the diffusion of this blank production method in Neolithic Sardinia is proposed in order to define its role in the exploitation of osseous materials.