Ust-Polui: bone objects with ornament and signs (technology and function)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the studies of the function of bone artefacts with ornamentation and signs from the Ust-Polui sacral production center. Functional groups of items with and without décor were identified and compared to each other according to the use-wear pattern. The main elements and compositions of the decorations that are typical for the certain categories were studied. The location and ways of ornamentation and signs were analyzed. It was shown that buckles, combs and armored plates make up the largest percentage of ornamentally decorated items, while signs are often applied to scrapers-blades. Fish knives, hooks, chisel-shaped tools, wedges, needles, harpoons and arrowheads except two of them have no decoration elements. The oblique cuts and small notches on the edges of several items made of the reindeer harness apparently were technologically meaningful. The bone products of the Ust-Polui are characterized by geometric ornaments with a small set of elements and their combinations. A pattern consisting of one or more wavy lines, made using the technique of fine-contour or oval-notched carving, was a common decorative element for functionally various items. It was complemented by compositions of straight or broken lines. There is no correlation between degree of wear and the presence or absence of decor in tools of the same category. Armor plates, buckles, combs, scrapers-spatulas had most strong wear traces among the specimens with ornamentation. Geometric signs were found on a bow plate, 2 belt hooks, 3 spoons and 14 scrapers-spatulas. They have a different carving quality and shape. There were often 2 signs carved on the items; some signs were applied to the surface of the scrapers after their long-term use.