Identification and quantification of projectile impact marks on bone: new experimental insights using osseous points

• DOI: 10.1007/s12520-024-01944-3
• Publication Date: 2024-02-23T03:01:51Z
• Authors: Reuven Yeshurun; Luc Doyon; José-Miguel Tejero; Rudolf Walter; Hannah Huber; Robin Andrews; Keiko Kitagawa
• Keywords: Projectile point; Identification

Abstract Shifts in projectile technology potentially document human evolutionary milestones, such as adaptations for different environments and settlement dynamics. A relatively direct proxy is impact marks (PIM) on archaeological bones. Increasing awareness publication of experimental data sets have recently led to more identifications PIM various contexts, but diagnosing from other types bone-surface modifications, quantifying them, inferring point size material the bone lesions need substantiation. Here, we focus created by osseous projectiles, asking whether these could be effectively identified separated lithic-tipped weapons. We further discuss basic question raised recent research zooarchaeology: why evidence so rare archaeofaunal assemblages (compared human-induced marks), even when they are explicitly sought. present results shooting two ungulate carcasses with antler points, replicating those used early Upper Paleolithic western Eurasia. Half our hits resulted PIM, confirming that this modification may been originally abundant. However, found probability a skeletal element modified negatively correlates its preservation potential, much produced damage would not identifiable typical faunal assemblage. This quantification problem still leaves room an insightful qualitative study PIM. complement previous presenting several diagnostic retain potential suggest osseous, rather than lithic, technology.