The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of in... more The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of investigation. Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.
Prehistoric dental treatments were extremely rare, and the few documented cases are known from th... more Prehistoric dental treatments were extremely rare, and the few documented cases are known from the Neolithic, when the adoption of early farming culture caused an increase of carious lesions. Here we report the earliest evidence of dental caries intervention on a Late Upper Palaeolithic modern human specimen (Villabruna) from a burial in Northern Italy. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy we show the presence of striations deriving from the manipulation of a large occlusal carious cavity of the lower right third molar. The striations have a " V "-shaped transverse section and several parallel micro-scratches at their base, as typically displayed by cutmarks on teeth. Based on in vitro experimental replication and a complete functional reconstruction of the Villabruna dental arches, we confirm that the identified striations and the associated extensive enamel chipping on the mesial wall of the cavity were produced ante-mortem by pointed flint tools during scratching and levering activities. The Villabruna specimen is therefore the oldest known evidence of dental caries intervention, suggesting at least some knowledge of disease treatment well before the Neolithic. This study suggests that primitive forms of carious treatment in human evolution entail an adaptation of the well-known toothpicking for levering and scratching rather than drilling practices. Dental caries are a major oral health problem in modern human societies 1 , representing one of the most common chronic dental diseases around the world. The need to treat carious teeth was well-known during historical times as well. To improve pain relief, medieval treatments were based on either humoral theory using herbal remedies or anatomical principles 2,3. Ancient Greeks and mainly Romans were
The site of Fumane Cave (western Lessini Mountains, Italy) contains a stratigraphic sequence span... more The site of Fumane Cave (western Lessini Mountains, Italy) contains a stratigraphic sequence spanning the Middle to early Upper Paleolithic. During excavations from 1989 to 2011, four human teeth were unearthed from the Mousterian (Fumane 1, 4, 5) and Uluzzian (Fumane 6) levels of the cave. In this contribution, we provide the first morphological description and morphometric analysis of the dental remains. All of the human remains, except for Fumane 6, are deciduous teeth. Based on metric data (crown and cervical outline analysis, and lateral enamel thickness) and non-metric dental traits (e.g., mid-trigonid crest), Fumane 1 (lower left second deciduous molar) clearly belongs to a Neandertal. For Fumane 4 (upper right central deciduous incisor), the taxonomic attribution is difficult due to heavy incisal wear. Some morphological features observed in Fumane 5 (lower right lateral deciduous incisor), coupled with the large size of the tooth, support Neandertal affinity. Fumane 6, a fragment of a permanent molar, does not show any morphological features useful for taxonomic discrimination. The human teeth from Fumane Cave increase the sample of Italian fossil remains, and emphasize the need to develop new methods to extract meaningful taxonomic information from deciduous and worn teeth.
THE EXPERIMENT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE AUTHORS WITH P. CATTELAIN (UNIVERSITÉ LIBRE DE BRUXELLES/CEDA... more THE EXPERIMENT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE AUTHORS WITH P. CATTELAIN (UNIVERSITÉ LIBRE DE BRUXELLES/CEDARC, MUSÉE DU MALGRÉ-TOUT) AND TOOK PLACE NEAR THE RIO SECCO CAVE (FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, NORTHEASTERN ITALY) IN FIVE SEPARATE SHOOTING SESSIONS IN MAY 2011 (FOUR SESSIONS) AND OCTOBER 2011 (ONE SESSION). ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR BACKED POINTS WERE MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT MORPHO-DIMENSIONAL TYPES IDENTIFIED IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSEMBLAGE (DUCHES AND PERESANI, SUBMITTED). SUBSEQUENTLY, THE POINTS WERE USED IN THE SHOOTING SESSIONS HAFTED IN DIFFERENT WAYS. REGARDING THE TARGET, THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPECIES WOULD HAVE BEEN IBEX, WHICH IS THE DOMINANT GAME IN DALMERI ROCKSHELTER (FIORE ET AL., 1998). HOWEVER, SINCE IT WASN’T POSSIBLE TO RECOVER FRESH IBEX CARCASSES, WE USED FOUR YOUNG-ADULT FEMALE MOUFLONS (OVIS MUSIMON IN MAY) AND ONE SENILE FEMALE GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS IN OCTOBER). THE ANIMALS WERE KILLED LESS THAN 2 H BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SESSION. THE CARCASSES WERE COMPLETE AND WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY TREATMENT SUCH AS FREEZING, SKINNING, EVISCERATION, PARTIAL DEFLESHING. THE CARCASSES WERE LOOSELY SUSPENDED IN A LIFELIKE POSITION TO A WOODEN BRACKET, WITH ONE SIDE FACING THE EXPERIMENTERS. THE SHOOTING DISTANCE VARIED FROM 10 TO 13 M; THESE DISTANCES WERE CONSIDERED CONSISTENT WITH ETHNOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON BOW HUNTING (CATTELAIN, 1997; 2004; CHURCHILL, 1993; ELLIS, 1997). IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH EACH ARROW IMPACT, THE ARCHERS DIDN’T SHOT MORE THAN 40 ARROWS ON A SINGLE CARCASS. TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH A REALISTIC HUNTING SITUATION, BESIDES, THE ARCHERS SOUGHT TO DIRECT THE PROJECTILES AT THE VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND LUNGS AS A TRUE HUNTER WOULD HAVE DONE (CHURCHILL, 1993; NOE-NYGAARD, 1974). EACH IMPACT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS WERE RECORDED ON A FORM. AFTER EACH DAILY SHOOTING SESSION THE CARCASS WAS PROCESSED IMMEDIATELY, IN ORDER TO RECOVER ALL POINT FRAGMENTS AND TO STUDY THE IMPACT TRACES ON THE BONES. THE BUTCHERY WAS CONDUCTED WITH STONE TOOLS, AND THE PROCESSED BONES WERE THEN BURIED IN NETS DIVIDED ACCORDING TO ANATOMICAL COMPARTMENTS. AFTER 9 MONTHS THEY WERE EXHUMED AND PROPERLY CLEANED BY BOILING IN WATER WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN ORDER TO DETACH THE REMAINING MEAT AND CARTILAGE. ONCE CLEANED, THE BONES WERE EXAMINED FIRST AT LOW MAGNIFICATION (10-20X) TO DISTINGUISH ANY POSSIBLE IMPACT’S EVIDENCE; THEN, EACH TRACE IDENTIFIED WAS ACCURATELY ANALYZED AND DOCUMENTED WITH TWO STEREOMICROSCOPE (LEICA S6D VERDE OUGH WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.75X TO 70X; LEICA 125M WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.7X TO 100X) AT THE ARCHAEOZOOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY LAB OF FERRARA UNIVERSITY (L.A.T.) AND MUSE; 3D IMAGES FROM SIENA UNIVERSITY, DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE FISICHE, DELLA TERRA E DELL’AMBIENTE.
The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of in... more The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of investigation. Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.
This case study focuses on the debate concerning “hunting camps” (“halte de chasse”). Zooarchaeol... more This case study focuses on the debate concerning “hunting camps” (“halte de chasse”). Zooarchaeological, lithic and functional data lead us to interpret the Epigravettian site of Grotta del Clusantin as being linked with activities oriented toward the hunting of rodent colonies living near the site, along with a small number of ungulates. In the context of an advanced occupation of the highlands, this site appears to have been a specialized, perhaps intermittently occupied camp, oriented toward immediate consumption rather than being a part of a structured economic system involving a spatio-temporal division in the exploitation of marmot carcasses. In terms of ecological evolution, the Pradis Plateau can be thus viewed as one of the first hunting basins occupied during the middle Late Glacial interstadial and even shortly after, before the Epigravettian dispersion to other pre-alpine plateaus above 1000 m in altitude. The recent discovery of this marmot hunting camp contributes to o...
The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of in... more The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of investigation. Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.
Prehistoric dental treatments were extremely rare, and the few documented cases are known from th... more Prehistoric dental treatments were extremely rare, and the few documented cases are known from the Neolithic, when the adoption of early farming culture caused an increase of carious lesions. Here we report the earliest evidence of dental caries intervention on a Late Upper Palaeolithic modern human specimen (Villabruna) from a burial in Northern Italy. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy we show the presence of striations deriving from the manipulation of a large occlusal carious cavity of the lower right third molar. The striations have a " V "-shaped transverse section and several parallel micro-scratches at their base, as typically displayed by cutmarks on teeth. Based on in vitro experimental replication and a complete functional reconstruction of the Villabruna dental arches, we confirm that the identified striations and the associated extensive enamel chipping on the mesial wall of the cavity were produced ante-mortem by pointed flint tools during scratching and levering activities. The Villabruna specimen is therefore the oldest known evidence of dental caries intervention, suggesting at least some knowledge of disease treatment well before the Neolithic. This study suggests that primitive forms of carious treatment in human evolution entail an adaptation of the well-known toothpicking for levering and scratching rather than drilling practices. Dental caries are a major oral health problem in modern human societies 1 , representing one of the most common chronic dental diseases around the world. The need to treat carious teeth was well-known during historical times as well. To improve pain relief, medieval treatments were based on either humoral theory using herbal remedies or anatomical principles 2,3. Ancient Greeks and mainly Romans were
The site of Fumane Cave (western Lessini Mountains, Italy) contains a stratigraphic sequence span... more The site of Fumane Cave (western Lessini Mountains, Italy) contains a stratigraphic sequence spanning the Middle to early Upper Paleolithic. During excavations from 1989 to 2011, four human teeth were unearthed from the Mousterian (Fumane 1, 4, 5) and Uluzzian (Fumane 6) levels of the cave. In this contribution, we provide the first morphological description and morphometric analysis of the dental remains. All of the human remains, except for Fumane 6, are deciduous teeth. Based on metric data (crown and cervical outline analysis, and lateral enamel thickness) and non-metric dental traits (e.g., mid-trigonid crest), Fumane 1 (lower left second deciduous molar) clearly belongs to a Neandertal. For Fumane 4 (upper right central deciduous incisor), the taxonomic attribution is difficult due to heavy incisal wear. Some morphological features observed in Fumane 5 (lower right lateral deciduous incisor), coupled with the large size of the tooth, support Neandertal affinity. Fumane 6, a fragment of a permanent molar, does not show any morphological features useful for taxonomic discrimination. The human teeth from Fumane Cave increase the sample of Italian fossil remains, and emphasize the need to develop new methods to extract meaningful taxonomic information from deciduous and worn teeth.
THE EXPERIMENT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE AUTHORS WITH P. CATTELAIN (UNIVERSITÉ LIBRE DE BRUXELLES/CEDA... more THE EXPERIMENT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE AUTHORS WITH P. CATTELAIN (UNIVERSITÉ LIBRE DE BRUXELLES/CEDARC, MUSÉE DU MALGRÉ-TOUT) AND TOOK PLACE NEAR THE RIO SECCO CAVE (FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, NORTHEASTERN ITALY) IN FIVE SEPARATE SHOOTING SESSIONS IN MAY 2011 (FOUR SESSIONS) AND OCTOBER 2011 (ONE SESSION). ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR BACKED POINTS WERE MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT MORPHO-DIMENSIONAL TYPES IDENTIFIED IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSEMBLAGE (DUCHES AND PERESANI, SUBMITTED). SUBSEQUENTLY, THE POINTS WERE USED IN THE SHOOTING SESSIONS HAFTED IN DIFFERENT WAYS. REGARDING THE TARGET, THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPECIES WOULD HAVE BEEN IBEX, WHICH IS THE DOMINANT GAME IN DALMERI ROCKSHELTER (FIORE ET AL., 1998). HOWEVER, SINCE IT WASN’T POSSIBLE TO RECOVER FRESH IBEX CARCASSES, WE USED FOUR YOUNG-ADULT FEMALE MOUFLONS (OVIS MUSIMON IN MAY) AND ONE SENILE FEMALE GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS IN OCTOBER). THE ANIMALS WERE KILLED LESS THAN 2 H BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SESSION. THE CARCASSES WERE COMPLETE AND WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY TREATMENT SUCH AS FREEZING, SKINNING, EVISCERATION, PARTIAL DEFLESHING. THE CARCASSES WERE LOOSELY SUSPENDED IN A LIFELIKE POSITION TO A WOODEN BRACKET, WITH ONE SIDE FACING THE EXPERIMENTERS. THE SHOOTING DISTANCE VARIED FROM 10 TO 13 M; THESE DISTANCES WERE CONSIDERED CONSISTENT WITH ETHNOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON BOW HUNTING (CATTELAIN, 1997; 2004; CHURCHILL, 1993; ELLIS, 1997). IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH EACH ARROW IMPACT, THE ARCHERS DIDN’T SHOT MORE THAN 40 ARROWS ON A SINGLE CARCASS. TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH A REALISTIC HUNTING SITUATION, BESIDES, THE ARCHERS SOUGHT TO DIRECT THE PROJECTILES AT THE VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND LUNGS AS A TRUE HUNTER WOULD HAVE DONE (CHURCHILL, 1993; NOE-NYGAARD, 1974). EACH IMPACT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS WERE RECORDED ON A FORM. AFTER EACH DAILY SHOOTING SESSION THE CARCASS WAS PROCESSED IMMEDIATELY, IN ORDER TO RECOVER ALL POINT FRAGMENTS AND TO STUDY THE IMPACT TRACES ON THE BONES. THE BUTCHERY WAS CONDUCTED WITH STONE TOOLS, AND THE PROCESSED BONES WERE THEN BURIED IN NETS DIVIDED ACCORDING TO ANATOMICAL COMPARTMENTS. AFTER 9 MONTHS THEY WERE EXHUMED AND PROPERLY CLEANED BY BOILING IN WATER WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN ORDER TO DETACH THE REMAINING MEAT AND CARTILAGE. ONCE CLEANED, THE BONES WERE EXAMINED FIRST AT LOW MAGNIFICATION (10-20X) TO DISTINGUISH ANY POSSIBLE IMPACT’S EVIDENCE; THEN, EACH TRACE IDENTIFIED WAS ACCURATELY ANALYZED AND DOCUMENTED WITH TWO STEREOMICROSCOPE (LEICA S6D VERDE OUGH WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.75X TO 70X; LEICA 125M WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.7X TO 100X) AT THE ARCHAEOZOOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY LAB OF FERRARA UNIVERSITY (L.A.T.) AND MUSE; 3D IMAGES FROM SIENA UNIVERSITY, DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE FISICHE, DELLA TERRA E DELL’AMBIENTE.
The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of in... more The search for diagnostic criteria useful in hunting lesions identification is a new branch of investigation. Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.
This case study focuses on the debate concerning “hunting camps” (“halte de chasse”). Zooarchaeol... more This case study focuses on the debate concerning “hunting camps” (“halte de chasse”). Zooarchaeological, lithic and functional data lead us to interpret the Epigravettian site of Grotta del Clusantin as being linked with activities oriented toward the hunting of rodent colonies living near the site, along with a small number of ungulates. In the context of an advanced occupation of the highlands, this site appears to have been a specialized, perhaps intermittently occupied camp, oriented toward immediate consumption rather than being a part of a structured economic system involving a spatio-temporal division in the exploitation of marmot carcasses. In terms of ecological evolution, the Pradis Plateau can be thus viewed as one of the first hunting basins occupied during the middle Late Glacial interstadial and even shortly after, before the Epigravettian dispersion to other pre-alpine plateaus above 1000 m in altitude. The recent discovery of this marmot hunting camp contributes to o...
ROSSONI-NOTTER E. et ROMANDINI M. (2016). «Plongez avec nous dans l’Histoire ! Les hommes et la m... more ROSSONI-NOTTER E. et ROMANDINI M. (2016). «Plongez avec nous dans l’Histoire ! Les hommes et la mer. Les premiers plateaux de fruits de mer », 25 février 2016, n°8 QE Magazine, Inserto "settimanale" de LA RIVIERA, a cura di AMP Monaco, p. 3.
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Papers by Matteo Romandini
REGARDING THE TARGET, THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPECIES WOULD HAVE BEEN IBEX, WHICH IS THE DOMINANT GAME IN DALMERI ROCKSHELTER (FIORE ET AL., 1998). HOWEVER, SINCE IT WASN’T POSSIBLE TO RECOVER FRESH IBEX CARCASSES, WE USED FOUR YOUNG-ADULT FEMALE MOUFLONS (OVIS MUSIMON IN MAY) AND ONE SENILE FEMALE GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS IN OCTOBER).
THE ANIMALS WERE KILLED LESS THAN 2 H BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SESSION. THE CARCASSES WERE COMPLETE AND WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY TREATMENT SUCH AS FREEZING, SKINNING, EVISCERATION, PARTIAL DEFLESHING. THE CARCASSES WERE LOOSELY SUSPENDED IN A LIFELIKE POSITION TO A WOODEN BRACKET, WITH ONE SIDE FACING THE EXPERIMENTERS. THE SHOOTING DISTANCE VARIED FROM 10 TO 13 M; THESE DISTANCES WERE CONSIDERED CONSISTENT WITH ETHNOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON BOW HUNTING (CATTELAIN, 1997; 2004; CHURCHILL, 1993; ELLIS, 1997).
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH EACH ARROW IMPACT, THE ARCHERS DIDN’T SHOT MORE THAN 40 ARROWS ON A SINGLE CARCASS. TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH A REALISTIC HUNTING SITUATION, BESIDES, THE ARCHERS SOUGHT TO DIRECT THE PROJECTILES AT THE VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND LUNGS AS A TRUE HUNTER WOULD HAVE DONE (CHURCHILL, 1993; NOE-NYGAARD, 1974). EACH IMPACT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS WERE RECORDED ON A FORM. AFTER EACH DAILY SHOOTING SESSION THE CARCASS WAS PROCESSED IMMEDIATELY, IN ORDER TO RECOVER ALL POINT FRAGMENTS AND TO STUDY THE IMPACT TRACES ON THE BONES. THE BUTCHERY WAS CONDUCTED WITH STONE TOOLS, AND THE PROCESSED BONES WERE THEN BURIED IN NETS DIVIDED ACCORDING TO ANATOMICAL COMPARTMENTS. AFTER 9 MONTHS THEY WERE EXHUMED AND PROPERLY CLEANED BY BOILING IN WATER WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN ORDER TO DETACH THE REMAINING MEAT AND CARTILAGE. ONCE CLEANED, THE BONES WERE EXAMINED FIRST AT LOW MAGNIFICATION (10-20X) TO DISTINGUISH ANY POSSIBLE IMPACT’S EVIDENCE; THEN, EACH TRACE IDENTIFIED WAS ACCURATELY ANALYZED AND DOCUMENTED WITH TWO STEREOMICROSCOPE (LEICA S6D VERDE OUGH WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.75X TO 70X; LEICA 125M WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.7X TO 100X) AT THE ARCHAEOZOOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY LAB OF FERRARA UNIVERSITY (L.A.T.) AND MUSE; 3D IMAGES FROM SIENA UNIVERSITY, DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE FISICHE, DELLA TERRA E DELL’AMBIENTE.
Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist
that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the
hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to
provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the
same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic
marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from
other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and
puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic
projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach
in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification
and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.
REGARDING THE TARGET, THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPECIES WOULD HAVE BEEN IBEX, WHICH IS THE DOMINANT GAME IN DALMERI ROCKSHELTER (FIORE ET AL., 1998). HOWEVER, SINCE IT WASN’T POSSIBLE TO RECOVER FRESH IBEX CARCASSES, WE USED FOUR YOUNG-ADULT FEMALE MOUFLONS (OVIS MUSIMON IN MAY) AND ONE SENILE FEMALE GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS IN OCTOBER).
THE ANIMALS WERE KILLED LESS THAN 2 H BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SESSION. THE CARCASSES WERE COMPLETE AND WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY TREATMENT SUCH AS FREEZING, SKINNING, EVISCERATION, PARTIAL DEFLESHING. THE CARCASSES WERE LOOSELY SUSPENDED IN A LIFELIKE POSITION TO A WOODEN BRACKET, WITH ONE SIDE FACING THE EXPERIMENTERS. THE SHOOTING DISTANCE VARIED FROM 10 TO 13 M; THESE DISTANCES WERE CONSIDERED CONSISTENT WITH ETHNOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON BOW HUNTING (CATTELAIN, 1997; 2004; CHURCHILL, 1993; ELLIS, 1997).
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH EACH ARROW IMPACT, THE ARCHERS DIDN’T SHOT MORE THAN 40 ARROWS ON A SINGLE CARCASS. TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH A REALISTIC HUNTING SITUATION, BESIDES, THE ARCHERS SOUGHT TO DIRECT THE PROJECTILES AT THE VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND LUNGS AS A TRUE HUNTER WOULD HAVE DONE (CHURCHILL, 1993; NOE-NYGAARD, 1974). EACH IMPACT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS WERE RECORDED ON A FORM. AFTER EACH DAILY SHOOTING SESSION THE CARCASS WAS PROCESSED IMMEDIATELY, IN ORDER TO RECOVER ALL POINT FRAGMENTS AND TO STUDY THE IMPACT TRACES ON THE BONES. THE BUTCHERY WAS CONDUCTED WITH STONE TOOLS, AND THE PROCESSED BONES WERE THEN BURIED IN NETS DIVIDED ACCORDING TO ANATOMICAL COMPARTMENTS. AFTER 9 MONTHS THEY WERE EXHUMED AND PROPERLY CLEANED BY BOILING IN WATER WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN ORDER TO DETACH THE REMAINING MEAT AND CARTILAGE. ONCE CLEANED, THE BONES WERE EXAMINED FIRST AT LOW MAGNIFICATION (10-20X) TO DISTINGUISH ANY POSSIBLE IMPACT’S EVIDENCE; THEN, EACH TRACE IDENTIFIED WAS ACCURATELY ANALYZED AND DOCUMENTED WITH TWO STEREOMICROSCOPE (LEICA S6D VERDE OUGH WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.75X TO 70X; LEICA 125M WITH MAGNIFICATION FROM 0.7X TO 100X) AT THE ARCHAEOZOOLOGY AND TAPHONOMY LAB OF FERRARA UNIVERSITY (L.A.T.) AND MUSE; 3D IMAGES FROM SIENA UNIVERSITY, DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE FISICHE, DELLA TERRA E DELL’AMBIENTE.
Though recently there has been an increase in studies focused on this issue, no experimental works exist
that analyze marks left by backed, morphologically standardized lithic projectiles like those used by the
hunter-gatherers that peopled a large part of Europe during the Late Glacial. As such, this paper aims to
provide comparison data for identifying archaeological Late Epigravettian projectile impact marks. At the
same time, the potential of 3D scanning microscopy to distinguish hunting injuries from other taphonomic
marks is assessed. The morphometric analyses, based on the descriptive criteria developed from
other recent studies, highlight the presence of peculiar features of experimentally produced drag and
puncture marks. These data are interpreted as a result of the specific design of Late Epigravettian lithic
projectiles. The outcomes of 3D digital analysis confirm the crucial role of this methodological approach
in taphonomic study, offering new clues in PIMs (Projectile Impact Marks) archaeological identification
and distinction from cut marks, carnivore tooth marks and corrosion cavities.