Project title: Experiments in manufacturing of decorated Mesolithic objects of antler, bone and amber IV

 

Researchers: Thomas Terberger, professor, Greifswald University, Germany

and Harm Poulsen, Landesmuseum Schleswig, Germany

E-mail: terberge(at)uni-greifswald.de

Website: Decorated Mesolithic Antlers

 

Year: 2005

 

Abstract:

 

In Southern Scandinavia and the North European lowlands there was, throughout the whole of the Mesolithic, production of beautifully decorated artefacts of antler, bone and amber. This decoration could represent ornamentation of everyday objects, but it could also be an indication that these artefacts were of particular significance for the people who lived at that time.

 

By reproducing the decoration and, by way of this, trying out the various techniques and tools, the researchers are attempting to understand in depth the working processes leading to production of the ornamentation. The decorations will be made with reconstructed flint tools and once they have been produced, experiments will also be carried out with colouring them. The reconstruction work will be carried out by, among others, the experienced bone craftsman Harm Paulsen. The experiments form part of a series and are also a component of a larger project investigating the links and exchange between tribal groups in the Western Baltic area around 10000 years ago.

 

Reference number: HAF 13/05

 

 

Project title: Experiments with manufacturing decorated antler objects, III

 

Year: 2004

 

Abstract:

 

Beautifully decorated artefacts of antler, bone and amber were made throughout the Mesolithic in Southern Scandinavia and the North European lowlands. The decoration suggests that the artefacts had a particular significance for the people who lived at that time. By reconstructing the decorated artefacts and in this way trying out the different techniques and tools, an attempt is made to unravel the working process behind the production of the artefacts and gain an impression of their significance. The reconstruction work will be carried out by (among others) the experienced bone-worker Harm Paulsen.

 

This year the experiment focused on engraving of geometrical motives and on techniques of colouring the engravings. A row of simple short lines showed up to be more time consuming than expected. According to experiments in 2003 and 2004 engraving a surface of 6 x 2 cm takes between 35 and 80 minutes in relation to the complexity of the motives. Experiments with materials of colouring of the engravings and charcoal, charcoal with egg white, bee wax with charcoal and tar was tried out. It turned out that a binder as wax was necessary to make the colouring with charcoal last. The most promising results were made with tar. The experiment form part of an experimental series and also part of a larger project concerning the tribal society of the Mesolithic in Northern Europe.

 

Reference number: HAF 07/04

 

 

Project title: Cultic antler axe or status symbol? 

 

Year: 2003

 

Abstract:

 

Beautiful decorated antler artefacts were produced throughout the whole of the Mesolithic in Southern Scandinavia and the North European Lowlands. There is some suggestion that they may have been of particular significance for the people who lived at that time. By reconstructing decorated artefacts and, in the process, trying out various techniques and tools, an attempt will be made to approach the working processes behind the artefacts and reveal whether they were made in one or several stages. In this way, an impression can be gained of the significance of the artefacts. The reconstruction work will be carried out by, among others, the experienced bone craftsman Harm Paulsen. The experiment is a continuation of that from last year and is part of a larger project concerning ‘tribal societies’ in the Mesolithic of Northern Europe.

 

Reference number: HAF 12/03

 

 

Project title: Experiments in Manufacturing of Decorated Mesolithic Objects of Antler, Bone and Amber

 

Year: 2002

 

Abstract:

 

There are many finds of decorated antler artefacts from the Mesolithic of Southern Scandinavia and Northern Germany. This experiment involves reconstruction of the original artefacts, complete with their ornamentation in order to investigate the technique and working processes behind their production; for example whether they were produced in one or more stages.

 

Reference number: HAF 12/02