Artefacts made from skeletal materials since the Roman period were, before this book, neglected as a serious area of study. This is a comprehensive account which reviews over fifty categories of artefact. The book starts with a consideration of the formation, morphology and mechanical properties of the materials and illuminates characteristics concerning working with them. Following chapters discuss the organisation of the industry and trade in such items, including the changing status of the industry over time. Archaeological evidence is combined with that from historical and ethnological sources, with many illustrations providing key visual reference.
Author(s): Arthur MacGregor
Edition: 1
Publisher: Croom Helm
Year: 1985
Language: English
Pages: 254
City: Beckenham
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PREFACE
1. RAW MATERIALS 1
Bone 1
Antler 1
Ivory (Teeth) 14
Keratinous Hard Tissues 19
Notes 22
2. BONE AND ANTLER AS MATERIALS 23
Mechanical Properties 25
Notes 29
3. AVAILABILITY 30
Bone 30
Antler 32
Ivory 38
Horn 42
Notes 42
4. HANDICRAFT OR INDUSTRY? 44
Bone and Antler 44
Horn 51
Notes 53
5. WORKING METHODS AND TOOLS 55
Cutting and Splitting 55
Smoothing and Polishing 58
Turning 58
Drilling 59
Scribing 60
Rouletting 61
Gauging 62
Clamping 62
Riveting 62
Softening and Moulding 63
Colouring 67
Evidence from Industrial Waste 70
Notes 71
6. ARTEFACTS OF SKELETAL MATERIALS: A TYPOLOGICAL REVIEW 73
Combs 73
Comb Cases 96
Mirror and Other Cases 99
Toilet Sets 99
Buttons and Beads 99
Button-and-loop Fasteners 102
Toggles 102
Buckles 103
Strap-ends 105
Amulets 105
Ivory 'Bag Rings' 110
Bracelets 112
Pins 113
Spectacle Frames 122
Writing Materials 122
Seal Matrices 126
Coin Balances 129
Dice 129
Gaming Pieces 132
Skates 141
Sledge Runners 144
Stringed Instruments 146
Whistles and Flutes 148
Blast Horns and Drinking Horns 151
Powder Horns 153
Other Horn Containers 154
Horn Helmets 154
Composite Bows 155
Crossbows 158
Arrowheads 162
Scabbard Chapes 163
Scabbard Slides 163
Sword and Dagger Hilts 165
Implement Handles 167
Pinners’ Bones 171
Hammers 171
Clamps 172
Planes 173
Points 174
Cleavers 176
Cetacean Bone Implements 178
Antler Rakes 178
Scapula Scoops 179
Apple or Cheese-scoops 180
Spoons 181
Knives 183
Brushes 183
Bobbins 183
Textile Equipment 185
Stamps 194
Moulds 195
Motif Pieces 195
Casket and Other Mounts 197
Caskets 200
Hinges 203
Notes 205
BIBLIOGRAPHY 209
INDEX 238
