Analysis and interpretation of flint toolmarks found on bones from West Tump long barrow, Gloucestershire

Bibliographic Data

ID4662299
AuthorsMartin J Smith (0000-0002-7377-511X, University of Birmingham, corresponding author), M B Brickley (0000-0002-8934-1527, University of Birmingham)
Year2004
Volume14
Issue1
Pages18-33
Publication date2004-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.710
OpenAlexW2074544683
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited20

West Tump is a Neolithic chambered tomb originally excavated in 1880. The mound was found to contain a mixed skeletal assemblage, the majority of which was disarticulated. Between 2000 and 2001 material from the site including human bone was re-examined with a portion of this project focused on taphonomic evidence observed on the human skeletal material. Amongst the factors selected for investigation were deliberate toolmarks. Three specimens were identified as exhibiting toolmarks. Analysis demonstrated that the observed features were cutmarks, consistent with the use of flint tools. However those on two of the specimens were found to be both post-mortem and recent. The cutmarks observed on the remaining specimen, a right clavicle, were identified as having been inflicted during the peri-mortem period and consistent with decapitation. British Neolithic mortuary practice has been the subject of ongoing debate since the earliest excavations of relevant sites, but until very recently few assemblages from such contexts have been re-examined and much of the data in use has derived from sources of considerable age and questionable reliability. The selective removal of specific skeletal elements (particularly skulls) has repeatedly been described in the literature regarding the collective funerary monuments of this period. It has often been assumed that such practices took place after the soft tissues had decayed. One of the examples discussed, suggests this may not always have been the case and the potential significance of this finding is discussed in addition to a possible interpretation of the cutmarks seen on the remaining specimens. Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Archaeology · Art · Biology · Excavation · Geography · Human bone · Osteology · Taphonomy · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Philosophy

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