V. Scheinsohn et Jl. Ferretti, THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF BONE MATERIALS IN RELATION TO THE DESIGNAND FUNCTION OF PREHISTORIC TOOLS FROM TIERRA-DEL-FUEGO, ARGENTINA, Journal of archaeological science, 22(6), 1995, pp. 711-717
This paper considers the relationship between mechanical properties, f
unction and design in prehistoric bone tools. The evidence that suppor
ts this association could lead to the interpretation of bone tool coll
ections in the light of evolutionary theory. In order to evaluate the
interaction among these three factors we have studied the mechanical a
nd geometrical properties of bone used by the prehistoric Fuegians for
manufacturing tools (from 6000 sp till the last century). In this stu
dy, 3-point tests of bone samples were performed; and the possible fun
ction, in terms of modes of action, for each group of tools, was infer
red from their morphological traits and the ethnographic record. Resul
ts support the view that the bones selected for manufacturing each kin
d of tool were those whose geometric and/or mechanical properties most
suited the design and function of the tool involved. (C) 1995 Academi
c Press Limited