Working of Reindeer’s Antlers at the Neolithic – Bronze Age Settlement Mayak 2 (Murmansk region)

Abstract

The article presents the preliminary results of the traceological analysis of the artefacts made of reindeer antler (Rangifer tarandus) found at the settlement Mayak 2 (Murmansk region). The site, excavated in 1979–1984 by N. N. Gurina, has been dated to the Neolithic – Bronze Age. The unique collection includes more than 1800 various implements made of hard organic materials. The study of methods of reindeer’s antlers processing according to the data of macro- and microscopic analysis of technological traces was carried out for the first time. Among the 250 artefacts selected for the study were production waste, preforms and completed items. It was obtained that two technological methods of the antler`s fragmentation to create a preform were used. The first method involved longitudinal and transverse chopping of the antler, which could be made with stone or metal tools. The second method based on carving of longitudinal and transverse grooves with subsequent division along them. It was found that the basal part of the antler was not actually used (one case was found). The medial part – the rod – were used for creating of the vast majority of implements and ornaments. Antler tines were rarely used for a limited set of items.