Ancient Near Eastern Studies Supplement Series, 59, 2022
The Neolithic (7000-5000 BCE) of the North Aegean - comprising western Turkey, northern and centr... more The Neolithic (7000-5000 BCE) of the North Aegean - comprising western Turkey, northern and central Greece, and the north Aegean islands - saw an influx of new subsistence strategies into an already established region. Worked animal bone, including tools and objects, was one element of the prehistoric toolkit that was consistently created, used, and discarded by North Aegean communities to support their new agricultural way of life. This study, a comparative analysis of almost 100 sites, furthers our understanding of Neolithic North Aegean worked animal bone assemblages through a series of research questions drawn from evidence in published reports and new research which have burgeoned in the last two decades. Results from this research reveal how bone was transformed into tools and objects and in what ways they were used in everyday activities, such as textile manufacture, hide preparation, and pottery moulding. An emphasis on the important symbolic role worked bone played during special events and their interaction with this intricate landscape is also stressed, highlighting the complexity of the region and the period.
In this investigation we detail the results of a systematic analysis of worked animal bone from U... more In this investigation we detail the results of a systematic analysis of worked animal bone from Ulucak, one of the earliest Neolithic sites in western Anatolia. The collection exhibits a wide range of types, including points, needles, spatulas, bevelled tools, perforated objects, and other unique objects. A study of the raw material shows a preference for sheep and goat long bones, while large-sized animal rib bones were also utilized. Manufacturing techniques employed included splitting, grooving, and abrasion, while a contextual analysis of the material underscores an intricate connection with other objects made from stone and clay. Items found in buildings relate to textile, leather, and ceramic production, while personal ornaments may have played a part in abandonment rituals. Examination of this assemblage is understood as a common set of regional tool types with some localized variations.
– Worked bone and antler tools were regularly used by prehistoric societies in northwest and west... more – Worked bone and antler tools were regularly used by prehistoric societies in northwest and western Anatolia to create and maintain everyday items. Ugurlu, one of the most important prehistoric sites in the north east Aegean, shows extensive evidence of bone and antler tool manufacture. This article examines the Ugurlu osseous assemblage from its inception during the Early Neo-lithic (6800 cal BC) to the middle Chalcolithic (4300 cal BC). A typology is established which labels the 534 items uncovered thus far, supported by contextual information. A comparison with other bone tool assemblages in the region is also presented, highlighting group similarities and type differences. The results show that few bone tools were found in the Early Neolithic Phase VI (6800– 6600 cal BC), while pointed tools dominate Phase V (6600–5900 cal BC). The established Neolithic Phase IV (5900–5600 cal BC) witnesses a dramatic growth in the number of bone tools produced, which is steadily adapted with the advent of the Chalcolithic Phase III (5500–4900 cal BC). During this transition between the Neolithic and Chalcolithic, certain tool types decline in number and manufacturing style changes. In the middle Chalcolithic Phase II (4500–4300 cal BC), bone objects seem to be crudely made, possibly reflecting the emergence of local traditions. IZVLE∞EK – Prazgodovinske skupnosti v severozahodni in zahodni Anatoliji so za izdelavo in popra-vilo vsakdanjih predmetov redno uporabljale obdelana ko∏≠ena in ro∫ena orodja. Na najdi∏≠u Ugurlu, enem najbolj pomembnih prazgodovinskih lokacij na severovzhodu Egejskega prostora, so odkrili ∏tevilne dokaze o izdelavi ko∏≠enih in ro∫enih orodij. V ≠lanku preiskujemo ko∏≠eni zbir iz Ugurla od nastanka najdi∏≠a v ≠asu zgodnjega neolitika (6800 pr. n. ∏t.) do srednjega halkolitika (4300 pr. n. ∏t.). Na podlagi zbira 534 tovrstnih predmetov, ki so bili do sedaj odkriti na najdi∏≠u, smo izdelali tipologijo, ki je podprta s podatki o kontekstih. Podatke smo nato primerjali z drugimi kostnimi zbiri v regiji, ki ka∫ejo tako na podobnosti kot na razlike v tipologiji. Rezultati ka∫ejo, da so v ≠asu zgodnje neolitske faze VI (6800–6600 pr. n. ∏t.) uporabljali malo ko∏≠enih orodij, medtem ko v fazi V (6600–5900 pr.n.∏t.) prevladujejo konice. V obdobju uveljavljenega neolitika v fazi IV (5900– 5600 pr.n.∏t.) se je ∏tevilo obdelanih ko∏≠enih orodij dramati≠no pove≠alo, ki se postopoma prilago-di v za≠etku halkolitika v fazi III (5500–4900 pr. n. ∏t.). Prisotnost dolo≠enih tipov orodij se zmanj-∏a v ≠asu prehoda med neolitikom in halkolitikom, spremeni pa se tudi stil izdelave. V ≠asu srednje-ga halkolitika v fazi II (4500–4300 pr. n. ∏t.) so ko∏≠ena orodja grobo izdelana, kar morda ka∫e na pojav lokalnih tradicij pri izdelavi.
Worked bone was an essential item in the prehistoric toolkit, used to create and maintain everyda... more Worked bone was an essential item in the prehistoric toolkit, used to create and maintain everyday objects. These tools provide insight into site processes and are an important component of prehistoric research. A fundamental aspect of this research is the creation of a typology, used to bring order to relative items. Typologies cluster similar items together; however, the naming of these individual items can be confusing, made worse by regionally inconsistent terminology. In this article, bone tool terminology and its relation to typology is reassessed, emphasising the variety of terms used to describe functional characteristics. A case study involving bone tools from prehistoric sites in western and northwestern Anatolia, with a focus on Uğurlu (a site on the island of Gökçeada) frames this examination, highlighting problems associated with the interpretation and cross-cultural analysis of bone tool terminology. Common strategies used by worked bone specialists are assessed and examined with the aim of overcoming terminological inconsistencies. They include: 1) the creation of an intra-typology, 2) the placement of objects within an established regional space, and 3) the placement of objects within an inter-regional space. An additional future strategy, 4) the creation of an online database, will then be promoted to further assist specialists.
Ancient Near Eastern Studies Supplement Series, 59, 2022
The Neolithic (7000-5000 BCE) of the North Aegean - comprising western Turkey, northern and centr... more The Neolithic (7000-5000 BCE) of the North Aegean - comprising western Turkey, northern and central Greece, and the north Aegean islands - saw an influx of new subsistence strategies into an already established region. Worked animal bone, including tools and objects, was one element of the prehistoric toolkit that was consistently created, used, and discarded by North Aegean communities to support their new agricultural way of life. This study, a comparative analysis of almost 100 sites, furthers our understanding of Neolithic North Aegean worked animal bone assemblages through a series of research questions drawn from evidence in published reports and new research which have burgeoned in the last two decades. Results from this research reveal how bone was transformed into tools and objects and in what ways they were used in everyday activities, such as textile manufacture, hide preparation, and pottery moulding. An emphasis on the important symbolic role worked bone played during special events and their interaction with this intricate landscape is also stressed, highlighting the complexity of the region and the period.
In this investigation we detail the results of a systematic analysis of worked animal bone from U... more In this investigation we detail the results of a systematic analysis of worked animal bone from Ulucak, one of the earliest Neolithic sites in western Anatolia. The collection exhibits a wide range of types, including points, needles, spatulas, bevelled tools, perforated objects, and other unique objects. A study of the raw material shows a preference for sheep and goat long bones, while large-sized animal rib bones were also utilized. Manufacturing techniques employed included splitting, grooving, and abrasion, while a contextual analysis of the material underscores an intricate connection with other objects made from stone and clay. Items found in buildings relate to textile, leather, and ceramic production, while personal ornaments may have played a part in abandonment rituals. Examination of this assemblage is understood as a common set of regional tool types with some localized variations.
– Worked bone and antler tools were regularly used by prehistoric societies in northwest and west... more – Worked bone and antler tools were regularly used by prehistoric societies in northwest and western Anatolia to create and maintain everyday items. Ugurlu, one of the most important prehistoric sites in the north east Aegean, shows extensive evidence of bone and antler tool manufacture. This article examines the Ugurlu osseous assemblage from its inception during the Early Neo-lithic (6800 cal BC) to the middle Chalcolithic (4300 cal BC). A typology is established which labels the 534 items uncovered thus far, supported by contextual information. A comparison with other bone tool assemblages in the region is also presented, highlighting group similarities and type differences. The results show that few bone tools were found in the Early Neolithic Phase VI (6800– 6600 cal BC), while pointed tools dominate Phase V (6600–5900 cal BC). The established Neolithic Phase IV (5900–5600 cal BC) witnesses a dramatic growth in the number of bone tools produced, which is steadily adapted with the advent of the Chalcolithic Phase III (5500–4900 cal BC). During this transition between the Neolithic and Chalcolithic, certain tool types decline in number and manufacturing style changes. In the middle Chalcolithic Phase II (4500–4300 cal BC), bone objects seem to be crudely made, possibly reflecting the emergence of local traditions. IZVLE∞EK – Prazgodovinske skupnosti v severozahodni in zahodni Anatoliji so za izdelavo in popra-vilo vsakdanjih predmetov redno uporabljale obdelana ko∏≠ena in ro∫ena orodja. Na najdi∏≠u Ugurlu, enem najbolj pomembnih prazgodovinskih lokacij na severovzhodu Egejskega prostora, so odkrili ∏tevilne dokaze o izdelavi ko∏≠enih in ro∫enih orodij. V ≠lanku preiskujemo ko∏≠eni zbir iz Ugurla od nastanka najdi∏≠a v ≠asu zgodnjega neolitika (6800 pr. n. ∏t.) do srednjega halkolitika (4300 pr. n. ∏t.). Na podlagi zbira 534 tovrstnih predmetov, ki so bili do sedaj odkriti na najdi∏≠u, smo izdelali tipologijo, ki je podprta s podatki o kontekstih. Podatke smo nato primerjali z drugimi kostnimi zbiri v regiji, ki ka∫ejo tako na podobnosti kot na razlike v tipologiji. Rezultati ka∫ejo, da so v ≠asu zgodnje neolitske faze VI (6800–6600 pr. n. ∏t.) uporabljali malo ko∏≠enih orodij, medtem ko v fazi V (6600–5900 pr.n.∏t.) prevladujejo konice. V obdobju uveljavljenega neolitika v fazi IV (5900– 5600 pr.n.∏t.) se je ∏tevilo obdelanih ko∏≠enih orodij dramati≠no pove≠alo, ki se postopoma prilago-di v za≠etku halkolitika v fazi III (5500–4900 pr. n. ∏t.). Prisotnost dolo≠enih tipov orodij se zmanj-∏a v ≠asu prehoda med neolitikom in halkolitikom, spremeni pa se tudi stil izdelave. V ≠asu srednje-ga halkolitika v fazi II (4500–4300 pr. n. ∏t.) so ko∏≠ena orodja grobo izdelana, kar morda ka∫e na pojav lokalnih tradicij pri izdelavi.
Worked bone was an essential item in the prehistoric toolkit, used to create and maintain everyda... more Worked bone was an essential item in the prehistoric toolkit, used to create and maintain everyday objects. These tools provide insight into site processes and are an important component of prehistoric research. A fundamental aspect of this research is the creation of a typology, used to bring order to relative items. Typologies cluster similar items together; however, the naming of these individual items can be confusing, made worse by regionally inconsistent terminology. In this article, bone tool terminology and its relation to typology is reassessed, emphasising the variety of terms used to describe functional characteristics. A case study involving bone tools from prehistoric sites in western and northwestern Anatolia, with a focus on Uğurlu (a site on the island of Gökçeada) frames this examination, highlighting problems associated with the interpretation and cross-cultural analysis of bone tool terminology. Common strategies used by worked bone specialists are assessed and examined with the aim of overcoming terminological inconsistencies. They include: 1) the creation of an intra-typology, 2) the placement of objects within an established regional space, and 3) the placement of objects within an inter-regional space. An additional future strategy, 4) the creation of an online database, will then be promoted to further assist specialists.
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Books by Jarrad W Paul
This study, a comparative analysis of almost 100 sites, furthers our understanding of Neolithic North Aegean worked animal bone assemblages through a series of research questions drawn from evidence in published reports and new research which have burgeoned in the last two decades.
Results from this research reveal how bone was transformed into tools and objects and in what ways they were used in everyday activities, such as textile manufacture, hide preparation, and pottery moulding. An emphasis on the important symbolic role worked bone played during special events and their interaction with this intricate landscape is also stressed, highlighting the complexity of the region and the period.
Papers by Jarrad W Paul
This study, a comparative analysis of almost 100 sites, furthers our understanding of Neolithic North Aegean worked animal bone assemblages through a series of research questions drawn from evidence in published reports and new research which have burgeoned in the last two decades.
Results from this research reveal how bone was transformed into tools and objects and in what ways they were used in everyday activities, such as textile manufacture, hide preparation, and pottery moulding. An emphasis on the important symbolic role worked bone played during special events and their interaction with this intricate landscape is also stressed, highlighting the complexity of the region and the period.