Manufacturing Basketmaker III Bone Objects

Summary

Bone tools are an important component in the study of the archaeological record worldwide. They have become especially useful in the study of perishable objects. This is because they are one of the few preserved items left behind that were required for processes such as weaving, and leatherworking. This research seeks to identify and replicate the manufacturing techniques required to produce a selection of bone objects that were found at the Dillard and Switchback sites, which are from the Basketmaker III time period in the Mesa Verde region of the United States. The excavations at the Dillard and Switchback sites yielded a variety of sizes and styles of bone awls, scrapers, and tubes. I have chosen a selection of the most complete and identifiable specimens to replicate in this study. Duplication of these tools will be as close as possible to the archaeological sample. This will include decisions of size, shape, taxa, manufacturing technique and anatomical element. The goal of this replication experiment is to shed light on the manufacturing process that was used by the Basketmaker III people in this area.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage