Bone Artifacts of the Middle and Late Bronze Age from the Settlement Zharkovo-3 (Steppe Altai)

Abstract

Purpose. The settlement of Zharkovo-3 is of different archaeological periods and contains materials from the Middle and Late Bronze Age. This site is important for studying the bone industry of the Bronze Age of steppe Altai, since, as a result of its excavations, a representative collection of bone tools and products was obtained. Among the main tasks of the study was not only to clarify the technological features of the manufacture and functional purpose of objects, but also to link them to specific cultural and chronological complexes.Results. A comprehensive study of bone artifacts has shown that objects of the developed Bronze Age are tools of leatherworking. Most of these are tools from the jaws of cattle, which were used to kneading the skin. For the Late Bronze Age, various types of products are characteristic: “tupiki” (blunt knives for kneading skins), scrapers, spatulas, needle holders, dart points, skates, etc. The raw material variety of tools for kneading skins made from the jaws of cattle, horses and sheep is of interest.Conclusion. In the materials of the settlement of Zharkovo-3 we find various strategies for the use of bone raw materials. The overwhelming majority of products can be attributed to natural and partial modifications, during the manufacture of which the natural form of the bone is preserved in whole or in part. In the studied collection of bone objects, leatherworking tools clearly predominate. This situation is typical for the sites of the Bronze Age of the steppe and forest-steppe belts of Eurasia.

A cattle mandible thong‐smoother from a grave: Strap production and cattle traction in the Late Copper Age in Hungary

“…In addition, some of the implements were pierced along the edge of the ramus (e.g., Usachuk & Varfolomeyev, 2013, p. 219, fig. 1.1; Valkov et al, 2022, p. 76, figs. 1.2 and 1.6), most probably for hanging.…”

“…Despite the large size of the implement, use marks were only displayed in a single area. This was the notch with rounded edges over the alveolus of the erupting M 3 and the glossy surface on the buccal surface (Valkov et al, 2022, p. 78, fig. 2.8).…”

“…1.2 and 1.6), most probably for hanging. The specimens used for a long time broke over the corpus and seem to have displayed heavy hand polish on the ramus (Valkov et al, 2022, figs. 1, 2.6, and 2.7).…”