ANTLER COUPLING MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE FROM THE MESOLITHIC OF THE VOLGA-OKA INTERFLUVE

Authors

  • Mikhail G. Zhilin Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation

Keywords:

archaeology, antler couplings, production technique, Mesolithic, Volga-Oka interfl uve

Abstract

Antler couplings were used for fastening inlays in axes, adzes and picks with wooden handles. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a groove (socket) for a blade in the end portion and openings for a handle, and couplings for axes and picks in the middle portion, or closer to the back neat the couplings for adzes. A trace evidence analysis of antler couplings of the Mesolithic turf settlements on the Volga-Oka interfl uve conducted by the author revealed that these products were manufactured according to an established pattern, which included a standard set of operations from the selection of raw materials to the fi nal decoration of the couplings. Variations in terms of details indicate an individual approach of certain craftsmen within the framework of the general technique. An experiment demonstrated that the provision of openings with a large diameter in the antler couplings did not require excessive labour or time.

References

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Published

2020-06-30

How to Cite

Zhilin, M. G. (2020). ANTLER COUPLING MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE FROM THE MESOLITHIC OF THE VOLGA-OKA INTERFLUVE. Arkheologiia Evraziiskikh Stepei (Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes), (3), 223–236. Retrieved from https://evrazstep.ru/index.php/aes/article/view/307

Issue

No. 3 (2020)

Section

Research and Publication

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Copyright (c) 2020 M.G. Zhilin

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