These occur in New Zealand archaeological sites, not of orca, but
of pilot whale. There are descriptions of these in ethnographic
literature, suggesting that the notches around the edges are for
cordage to hold the disk from rotating when fixed to a stick with
stone drill point at the end.
Foss Leach
>
> > Daer All,
> > An unfused vertebral disc from an adult orca was recovered at an
> > archaeological excavation outside Malmö in Southern Sweden. The disc
> > was already broken into 7 pieces when found and distributed in two
> > separate clay pits dated to middle Bronze Age (ca 1420-825 BC). The
> > disc measures ca 13 cm in diameter and is pierced through the
> > center. There are also a few roundish indentations on the ridged
> > side of the disc that may or may not be natural. I´ve found a
> > reference to similar finds at an Iron Age site on North Uist in the
> > Outher Hebrides where several pierced whale discs have also been
> > recovered (Beveridge & Callander 1930-1931). These discs were
> > thought to be spindle whorls but I´m curious to know about other
> > finds of this kind and their interpretation. Does anybody have
> > suggestions about additional references?
> >
> > I have included photos.
> >
> >
> > Best wishes
> > Britt-Marie
> >
> >
> >
> > Britt-Marie Hägerman, Osteolog
> > Malmö Kulturmiljö
> > Kultur Malmö
> > Box 406
> > 201 24 Malmö, Sweden
> > Tel: 004640-34 44 87
> > Fax: 040-34 44 72
> > E-post: [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
****************************************
Dr Foss Leach
Curator, Archaeozoology Laboratory
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
PO Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (+64-4) 381-7364
Fax: (+64-4) 381-7369
Mobile: (+64-25) 513-312
Fishing Boat: (+64-25) 431-423
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
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