Cutmarks

Swords have been one of the major weapons used in violent conflicts for much of human history. Certain archaeological situations, especially those dealing with the recovery and analysis of battle casualties, may raise questions about what type(s) of bladed weapon was used in a particular conflict (e.g., the battle of Kamakura, Japan, AD 1333; the battle of Wisby, Sweden, AD 1361; the battle of Towton, England, AD 1461). Little work has been done, however, on developing criteria to differentiate sword cut marks from other types of cut marks, or to distinguish between marks created by different sword types. To develop such criteria, bovine tibiae (n ¼ 7) were struck using six different types of bladed weapon and the resulting marks (n ¼ 92) were analyzed. Eight traits describing the morphology of the cut mark e such as shape, the presence and unilateral/bilateral state of flaking and feathering, the presence of bone shards, associated breaks, etc. e are defined and related to blade type used. Sword marks were found to be easily distinguishable from knife marks. The variation in marks made by different sword types is significantly correlated with differences in blade weight (p < 0.0001), grip (p < 0.0113), and sharpness (p 0.0179). The criteria and analyses developed and implemented in this study will be of use to researchers in forensics and osteoarchaeology who want to infer bladed weapon type from marks on bones.

Anthropologists have always been interested in ritualistic behaviors and cultural practices of our ancestors, including the people of the Early Bronze Age from Armenia. In this article we present the analysis of human skeletons at Landjik site in northern Armenia during the period of the Early Bronze Age. During the 1996 excavation of the Landjik site on the Shirak Plateau, a burial site with the skeletal remains of 8 adults and 2 infants was found. In 1996, a study of the remains was initiated at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Science, Republic of Armenia (Khudaverdyan, 1996). A more detailed study of the remains revealed the presence of cutmarks on bones of three of the adults. Distinct cut marks on the occipital bone suggest decapitation of the living individual. Also, headless figurines from the Early Bronze Age, found on the territory of the Armenian highlands, hint at this practice of head removal.
Anthropologists have always been interested in ritualistic behaviors and cultural practices of our ancestors, including the people of the Early Bronze Age from Armenia. In this article we present the analysis of human skeletons at Landjik site in northern Armenia during the period of the Early Bronze Age. During the 1996 excavation of the Landjik site on the Shirak Plateau, a burial site with the skeletal remains of 8 adults and 2 infants was found. In 1996, a study of the remains was initiated at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Science, Republic of Armenia (Khudaverdyan, 1996). A more detailed study of the remains revealed the presence of cutmarks on bones of three of the adults. Distinct cut marks on the occipital bone suggest decapitation of the living individual. Also, headless figurines from the Early Bronze Age, found on the territory of the Armenian highlands, hint at this practice of head removal.

Here we report the recovery of a human tooth, radiocarbon dated to the Neolithic period, from Ash Tree Shelter, near Whitwell in Derbyshire, United Kingdom. The tooth bears scratches on the labial surface of the crown. The morphology and position of these scratches suggest they were produced ante mortem (during the life of the individual) by a stone tool used to process food or other materials held between the jaws. The dating of the Ash Tree Shelter tooth to the Neolithic period adds to the corpus of later prehistoric human remains from caves in the Cadeby Formation. Its Early Neolithic age reveals it to be older than at least some of the prehistoric human remains from the adjacent site of Ash Tree Cave.

Cutmarks found on the fossilised bones of butchered animals provide direct evidence for the procurement of meat through technological means. As such, they hold some of the oldest available information on cognitive ability and behaviour in human evolution. Here we present a new method that allows a three-dimensional reconstruction of cutmark morphology and the quantification of profile parameters. We have tested this new technique on cutmarks that were experimentally inflicted on a pig rib using a steel knife and an un-retouched flint flake at different angles.
The method allows for the cross-sectional shape, the sharpness and depths of the resulting cutmarks to be quantified. The data show that knife mark sections are characterised by a V-shape or √-shape depending on the inclination of the knife. Cutmarks produced with the flint flake were less clearly defined and generally less sharp than those produced by the knife. We discuss the method's potential to provide new information on butchery technique and cognitive abilities developed by the human lineage, from the earliest tool-using hominins through to modern Homo sapiens.

Background: The use of human braincases as drinking cups and containers has extensive historic and ethnographic
documentation, but archaeological examples are extremely rare. In the Upper Palaeolithic of western Europe, cut-marked
and broken human bones are widespread in the Magdalenian (,15 to 12,000 years BP) and skull-cup preparation is an
element of this tradition.
Principal Findings: Here we describe the post-mortem processing of human heads at the Upper Palaeolithic site of Gough’s
Cave (Somerset, England) and identify a range of modifications associated with the production of skull-cups. New analyses
of human remains from Gough’s Cave demonstrate the skilled post-mortem manipulation of human bodies. Results of the
research suggest the processing of cadavers for the consumption of body tissues (bone marrow), accompanied by
meticulous shaping of cranial vaults. The distribution of cut-marks and percussion features indicates that the skulls were
scrupulously ’cleaned’ of any soft tissues, and subsequently modified by controlled removal of the facial region and
breakage of the cranial base along a sub-horizontal plane. The vaults were also ‘retouched’, possibly to make the broken
edges more regular. This manipulation suggests the shaping of skulls to produce skull-cups.
Conclusions: Three skull-cups have been identified amongst the human bones from Gough’s Cave. New ultrafiltered
radiocarbon determinations provide direct dates of about 14,700 cal BP, making these the oldest directly dated skull-cups
and the only examples known from the British Isles.

Se presentan los resultados del análisis de conjuntos óseos del sitio Sol de Mayo I, ubicado en el área de investigación de Los Antiguos-Monte Zeballos-Paso Roballos, noroeste de Santa Cruz. Este sitio tiene una secuencia estratigráfica de unos 6.300 años 14C que contiene varias ocupaciones. Aquellas analizadas en este trabajo han sido asignadas a dos bloques cronológicos diferentes de la historia regional, lo que permite comparar dos momentos significativos de la ocupación de este lugar.
El objetivo es conocer el uso dado a la fauna a través del tiempo y las diferentes actividades involucradas en su aprovechamiento, basados en el estudio de las marcas y otras modificaciones observadas en los conjuntos óseos.  Los resultados contribuirán a la comprensión del carácter e intensidad de la ocupación de los diferentes lugares  que  integraron  el espacio regional.
El  alero  Sol  de  Mayo  I (47° 11´S, 71° 48´O; altitud 660 m) se ubica al pie de la barda de un cerro cercano al curso medio del río Ghio. A lo largo de la secuencia se identificaron  varias ocupaciones que contienen una frecuencia variable de material lítico y óseo. La  capa 7(1) pertenece al bloque cronológico  II  (3260-209314C años AP; 3455- 2015 años cal AP)  con una datación  de  2960±25 14C  años AP y tiene una densidad de descarte óseo alta (11 o más ítems/dm3). La capa 5 pertenece al  bloque  cronológico  III (1370-850 14C años AP; 1260-730 años cal AP) con una datación de 1210±30 14C años AP y posee una densidad de descarte óseo media (5-10 ítems/dm3).
En el análisis se tuvieron en cuenta los múltiples agentes y procesos que participaron en la formación de los conjuntos óseos, precisando el repertorio de actividades que estuvieron vinculadas con su acumulación y transformación. A tal fin, analizamos la variabilidad de marcas, teniendo en cuenta determinados atributos macroscópicos y microscópicos y su contexto de producción. Esta información se integró a los otros aspectos considerados en el análisis zooarqueológico, tales como las especies y partes anatómicas presentes y la presencia de otras modificaciones (e.g., fracturas y termoalteraciones).
La cuantificación de marcas se hizo a partir de tres medidas: su conteo por espécimen y elemento anatómico, la frecuencia relativa (%NISP) de especímenes y elementos con marcas y la abundancia de marcas por espécimen y por superficie observada. Consideramos que es importante comparar estas diferentes medidas dado que potencialmente son distintas formas de estimar la intensidad del procesamiento.
La información zooarqueológica será contrastada con las expectativas generadas por otros indicadores independientes de intensidad, tales como la abundancia y diversidad del descarte lítico y la presencia de rasgos asociados. A partir de estos criterios discutiremos la continuidad o cambio a lo largo de la secuencia en los patrones de aprovechamiento de la fauna.

"Cutmarks have played an important role in addressing whether our hominid ancestors were hunters or scavengers, describing ritual modification of human bone, defining the origin of metallurgy, and highlighting the diversity of prehistoric butchering behavior. The widespread occurrence of cutmarks on animal bones and their variability allows archaeologists to use this kind of evidence to address a broad range of questions. One goal in examining cutmark diversity is to identify diagnostic cutmarks of prehistoric butchering, processing, and consuming behaviors. Linking cutmarks to specific activities allows us to test fine-grained hypotheses concerning the nature of an archaeological site, and to do this a systematic method for addressing variability in both the appearance and anatomical position of cutmarks is essential.An analysis of caribou bones collected by Lewis Binford from the Palangana site in Alaska is used to build and test a diagnostic cutmark classification using their morphometric and spatial properties. This case study demonstrates that cutmarks can be used to simultaneously address large-scale anthropological questions and reveal intra-site behavioral variability in the archaeological record."

We present here evidence for an early Holocene case of decapitation in the New World (Burial 26), found in the rock shelter of Lapa do Santo in 2007. Lapa do Santo is an archaeological site located in the Lagoa Santa karst in east-central Brazil with evidence of human occupation dating as far back as 11.7-12.7 cal kyBP (95.4% interval). An ultra-filtered AMS age determination on a fragment of the sphenoid provided an age range of 9.1-9.4 cal kyBP (95.4% interval) for Burial 26. The interment was composed of an articulated cranium, mandible and first six cervical vertebrae. Cut marks with a v-shaped profile were observed in the mandible and sixth cervical vertebra. The right hand was amputated and laid over the left side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the chin and the left hand was amputated and laid over the right side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the forehead. Strontium analysis comparing Burial 26&#39;s isotopic signature to other specimens from Lap...

Recent applications of devices capable of reconstructing micro-3D surfaces allow researchers to examine cutmarks in greater detail than previous approaches that used 2D micrographs. A white-light confocal profiler provides 3D topographic surface reconstructions that are suitable for qualitative and quantitative study. Two-dimensional profiles and 3D surface areas, volumes, mean depths, and maximum depths can be determined using surface analysis software. Preliminary analyses using this technique readily distinguishes cuts made by steel and stone tools. Efforts are underway to distinguish different types of stone tools from various assemblages including Oldowan. The current study aims to better understand cutmark variation created by Oldowan tools by quantifying cutmark data from white-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) limbs experimentally cut using Oldowan replicas made with flint, basalt, and obsidian. The data will be used to prepare an Oldowan cutmark database that will help analysts distinguish actual Oldowan cutmarks.

We present here evidence for an early Holocene case of decapitation in the New World (Burial 26), found in the rock shelter of Lapa do Santo in 2007. Lapa do Santo is an archaeological site located in the Lagoa Santa karst in east-central Brazil with evidence of human occupation dating as far back as 11.7-12.7 cal kyBP (95.4% interval). An ultra-filtered AMS age determination on a fragment of the sphenoid provided an age range of 9.1-9.4 cal kyBP (95.4% interval) for Burial 26. The interment was composed of an articulated cranium, mandible and first six cervical vertebrae. Cut marks with a v-shaped profile were observed in the mandible and sixth cervical vertebra. The right hand was amputated and laid over the left side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the chin and the left hand was amputated and laid over the right side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the forehead. Strontium analysis comparing Burial 26&#39;s isotopic signature to other specimens from Lap...

Linear marks were observed on the maxillary zygomatic process of the early Pleistocene hominin fossil Stw53 from the Sterkfontein cave site. The taxonomic allocation of this specimen is still under debate, as it has been attributed either to the genus Homo or Australopithecus. Two alternative hypotheses have been proposed regarding the taphonomic agent responsible for the linear marks observed on this specimen. These modifications were initially assigned to anthropic cutmarks inflicted by stone tools, thus representing the earliest cutmarks discovered on hominin remains. Conversely, these linear marks were interpreted by others as non-anthropic modifications. In order to better understand the origin of the linear marks, a new taphonomic appraisal of these modifications was conducted using a multivariate statistical approach complemented by butchery and trampling experiments on extant mammal bones. This new study of Stw53 linear marks does not provide evidence for anthropic activitie...

Divers facteurs sont à l&#x27;origine de ces doutes, notamment un enregistrement incomplet des données de fouilles, une documentation insuffisante, et une analyse trop peu précise des stigmates (stries, fractures, traces de feu) et de la disposition des déchets. En particulier, on peut ...

We present here evidence for an early Holocene case of decapitation in the New World (Burial 26), found in the rock shelter of Lapa do Santo in 2007. Lapa do Santo is an archaeological site located in the Lagoa Santa karst in east-central Brazil with evidence of human occupation dating as far back as 11.7-12.7 cal kyBP (95.4% interval). An ultra-filtered AMS age determination on a fragment of the sphenoid provided an age range of 9.1-9.4 cal kyBP (95.4% interval) for Burial 26. The interment was composed of an articulated cranium, mandible and first six cervical vertebrae. Cut marks with a v-shaped profile were observed in the mandible and sixth cervical vertebra. The right hand was amputated and laid over the left side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the chin and the left hand was amputated and laid over the right side of the face with distal phalanges pointing to the forehead. Strontium analysis comparing Burial 26&#39;s isotopic signature to other specimens from Lap...

Val, A., Costamagno, S., Discamps, E., Chong, S., Claud, E., Deschamps, M., Mourre, V., Soulier, M.-C. et Thiébaut, C. (2017) - « Testing the influence of stone tool type on microscopic morphology of cut-marks: Experimental approach and application to the archaeological record with a case study from the Middle Palaeolithic site of Noisetier Cave (Fréchet-Aure, Hautes-Pyrénées, France) », Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 11,  pp. 17-28.

A multivariate approach was applied to test the existence of microscopic differences in the morphology of cutmarks produced by simple, unretouched, flakes and three types ofMousterian stone tools (denticulates, cleavers and Mousterian points). Cut-marks on red deer (Cervus elaphus) long bones defleshed using different lithic implements during experimental butchery of whole carcasses were analysed using low magnification microscopy. Following existing studies (i.e. Domínguez-Rodrigo et al., 2009; de Juana et al., 2010), sixteen variables were recorded and the resulting dataset was statistically tested for significant differences between tool types. The same microscopic analysiswas then applied to an archaeological sample of red deer long bone fragments from the Middle Palaeolithic site of Noisetier Cave. While this approach is relatively costless, allows for the analysis of large bone samples and is easily reproducible by different analysts, our results show that microscopic differences between cut-marks produced by simple flakes and those made by tools are not statistically significant and that important overlap exists between the cut-marks produced by the three types of tools. The application of the experimental results to the archaeological sample thus proved difficult. This study underlines the need for a cautious use of this type of method when analysing archaeological material.

Cutmarks found on the fossilised bones of butchered animals provide direct evidence for the procurement of meat through technological means. As such, they hold some of the oldest available information on cognitive ability and behaviour in human evolution. Here we present a new method that allows a three-dimensional reconstruction of cutmark morphology and the quantification of profile parameters. We have tested this new technique on cutmarks that were experimentally inflicted on a pig rib using a steel knife and an un-retouched flint flake at different angles. The method allows for the cross-sectional shape, the sharpness and depths of the resulting cutmarks to be quantified. The data show that knife mark sections are characterised by a V-shape or √-shape depending on the inclination of the knife. Cutmarks produced with the flint flake were less clearly defined and generally less sharp than those produced by the knife. We discuss the method's potential to provide new information on butchery technique and cognitive abilities developed by the human lineage, from the earliest tool-using hominins through to modern Homo sapiens.

Fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, show cutmarks which establish that hominids were using stone tools on animal tissues during the Lower Pleistocene in Africa. We identified cutmarks by elimination of other likely causes of the marks on the bone surfaces, for example, gnawing or chewing by carnivores or rodents, and damage made by tools of excavators or preparators. This was achieved by comparing the marks on the fossils with those produced by known causes on modern bones, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Because the fossils occur as part of accumulations of animal remains in relatively undisturbed geological contexts, we conclude that there is a functional association between the stone artefacts and bones at these sites, rather than an accidental, postmortem association1,2.

Fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, show cutmarks which establish that hominids were using stone tools on animal tissues during the Lower Pleistocene in Africa. We identified cutmarks by elimination of other likely causes of the marks on the bone surfaces, for example, gnawing or chewing by carnivores or rodents, and damage made by tools of excavators or preparators. This was achieved by comparing the marks on the fossils with those produced by known causes on modern bones, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Because the fossils occur as part of accumulations of animal remains in relatively undisturbed geological contexts, we conclude that there is a functional association between the stone artefacts and bones at these sites, rather than an accidental, postmortem association1,2.