An Introduction to Zooarchaeology by Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

Author:Diane Gifford-Gonzalez
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9783319656823
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Pickering and Egeland (2006) follow the same definition but argue from their experimental observations that some pseudo notches are definitely percussion products, and that these may be more common on some skeletal elements , such as ruminant radii, than others. They agree with Capaldo and Blumenschine that percussion and carnivore tooth flakes show sufficient overlap that a prudent course is to place them into an ambiguous category. Both sets of researchers and Fisher (1995) suggest that the best way to discern the identity of the actor is to inspect notched specimens for other surface modifications typical of nonhuman carnivores (scores, pits) versus hominin (anvil pits, striations ) handling.

In such cases of ambiguity, multiple lines of evidence, such as associated cut or tooth marks or other aspects of physical context, may clarify the effector and actor. This was called a “configurational approach” by Domínguez-Rodrigo et al. (2010) and a “forensic approach ” by myself and Lyman (Chap. 3). Nonetheless, analysts should accept that the causes of some modifications might remain ambiguous. In such cases, it is prudent to use descriptive terms for equivocal evidence that do not specify the actor or effector . I have done this working with one taphonomically complex assemblage where sedimentary abrasion has so altered carnivore or human marks on some specimens that I stipulate “indeterminate mechanical damage” as a bone surface modification option.

The next chapter introduces culinary processing and advocates for a chaîne opératoire approach to animal carcass processing.

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