In North America there are a number of ethnographic references which state
that bone tools were intentionally "greased" to keep them from cracking or
splitting, thus I would suspect that degreasing would not be required for
functional bone tools (though perhaps desirable for display purposes). I
also suspect that the better preservation of tools (in contrast to food
remains) at archaeological sites may be the result of these curation
techniques for bone tools in contrast to the boiling of food remains. One
observation which subjectively supports my hypothesis is that many of the
bones which are used for bone tools in prehistoric eastern North America are
likely removed from the carcass prior to cooking (Turkey tarsometatarsus,
Deer metatarsals and phalanges, etc.)
-Rex Garniewicz
-----Original Message-----
From: David Constantine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] Archaeological evidence for degreasing of bones
I have started to work various kinds of bone with the intention of
producing replica artefacts from the Saxon, Viking and Early Medieval.
However, after trying to degrease various bones, I was wondering if it is
actually authentic to have them degreased or if they were simply cleaned of
flesh etc before being worked. Any help with wether or not there is
evidence for degreasing of bones prior to working, and if so what
techniques were used would be most helpful.
Thanks,
David Constantine
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