"Hands-on archaeology”: an experimental program based on bone tool assemblages created during the osseous industry course, University of Algarve (Faro, Portugal)

Aleixo, Patrícia; Teixeira, Cátia; Matias, Roxane; Évora, Marina

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/17082

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Abstract(s)

The aim of this paper focuses on the analysis of osseous raw materials through experimental archaeology. The lack of studies on experimental archaeology at the MSc degree in Archaeology from the University of Algarve gave way to the creation of a brand-new course based on Osseous Industry. The main goal of this study was to provide a better understanding and interpretation of the traces left on bone tools during the emergence of Homo sapiens in Europe. The results of this work include femur bone needles from swine (Sus domesticus), an arrow and harpoon head antler from red deer (Cervus elaphus), and a comb antler from fallow deer (Dama dama). This approach gained knowledge by experience and a broader view about a hypothetical image of how human communities used to live. The implementation of the experimental activity is an important empirical function in the studies of archaeology, though often is overlooked. We hope that this work can provide an example of how fundamental an experimental approach to archaeology is for filling gaps in our knowledge about the past.

Keywords

Experimental archaeology Osseous raw materials Femur bone needles Arrow and harpoon head antler Comb antler

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http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/17082

Citation

Aleixo, Patrícia, Teixeira, Cátia, Matias, Roxane, Evora, Marina. (2020). “HANDS-ON ARCHAEOLOGY”: AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM BASED ON BONE TOOL ASSEMBLAGES CREATED DURING THE OSSEOUS INDUSTRY COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF ALGARVE (FARO, PORTUGAL). REVISTA ARKEOGAZTE ALDIZKARIA N.º 10, año 2020. Monográfico: Huesos, tierra, memoria, ARKEOGAZTE-K EDITATUA