Publisher's Synopsis
Through 34 contributions organised around the themes of Culture, Technology and Function, this volume, which springs from the collective efforts of the Worked Bone Research Group of the International Council for ArchaeoZoology (ICAZ), showcases recent developments in bone industry research, whether methodological or theoretical, and the results of empirical studies on the corpus, with examples originating from Europe, Asia or America, and ranging from Prehistory to the early modern period. Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic objects are examined from the perspective of their technique and functions; studies of weapons and other items shed light on processes of Neolithisation; case studies from around the globe demonstrate the latest in traceology and use-wear analysis; and examinations of objects from adornments to musical instruments from the Roman period through the early modern era give insight into social, economic and other factors. The volume thus offers an enlightening overview of contemporary bone technology studies.
