Mesolithic bone and antler barbed points from Europoort. An experimental approach

This thesis deals with the Mesolithic barbed points which were found by amateur archaeologists at the area of Europoort in the Netherlands. The main goal of the thesis was to find out the possible ways of production and use of the barbed points by producing and using copies via experiments. Overall fifteen artifacts were loaned out from the Archaeological Museum of Leiden in order to be studied for the purposes of the thesis. They were made of antler and bone (mostly metapodia). The original barbed points were checked for possible traces under stereo microscope and metallographic analysis took place as well. The next step was to produce five experimental barbed points based on the information which their analyses gave. Hence, the groove and splinter technique was used for the two antler barbed points and the metapodial technique for the two barbed points made of bone. The fifth experimental tool was made out of a rib bone, which was cut in pieces in order to take the proper piece...Show moreThis thesis deals with the Mesolithic barbed points which were found by amateur archaeologists at the area of Europoort in the Netherlands. The main goal of the thesis was to find out the possible ways of production and use of the barbed points by producing and using copies via experiments. Overall fifteen artifacts were loaned out from the Archaeological Museum of Leiden in order to be studied for the purposes of the thesis. They were made of antler and bone (mostly metapodia). The original barbed points were checked for possible traces under stereo microscope and metallographic analysis took place as well. The next step was to produce five experimental barbed points based on the information which their analyses gave. Hence, the groove and splinter technique was used for the two antler barbed points and the metapodial technique for the two barbed points made of bone. The fifth experimental tool was made out of a rib bone, which was cut in pieces in order to take the proper piece needed for the manufacture. All of them were grinded on a sand stone in order to take the proper shape and a flint blade was used to make the barbs. After that they were hafted on spears and arrows, depending on their size, and the shooting experiments took place near the city of Arnhem in the Netherlands. The experimental tools proved to be really effective. The used barbed points were analyzed and documented photographically the same way as the original artifacts. When the Mesolithic and the experimental barbed points were compared, it came out that they bear in a considerable amount the same kind of traces. Most of them were caused during the production process (grinding or scratches due to the flint tool which was used), while there is a few amount of impact scars and use wear traces. The only exception, as far as the scratches are concerned, is that the original artifacts bear a lot of randomly directed scratches, while the experimental barbed points barely have any. Therefore, it was assumed that they were a result of depositional modifications. Finally, in the discussion part of the thesis a variety of ways is suggested on how the experimental tools can be used to benefit the public, in the context of heritage management.Show less

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Mesolithic bone and antler barbed points from Europoort. An experimental approach