Commission Modified Bone & Shell of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (UISPP) – Bâtons perçés (Volume XVI)

• Applicant: Dr. Sibylle Elisabeth Wolf
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 454029596

The “Commission Modified Bone & Shell of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (UISPP)” exists with different members since 1974. The network was strongly French-speaking and has recently become increasingly networked with scientists from all over Europe. Archaeological artefacts made from osseous raw materials such as bone, antler or ivory are analysed and the results are published in scientific publications. The artefacts that are to be examined in detail within the next two years are the so-called bâtons perçés. These perforated objects are known from the last phase of the last Ice Age from almost all archaeologically defined cultures in Europe. The research material dates to approximately 40,000 to 12,000 years ago. The aim of the network is to use modern investigation methods to determine whether the batons percés consistently were dedicated to one or a few functions or whether they served different purposes within different time periods. The discipline of experimental archaeology plays a key role. Experimental archaeologists carve specific bâtons percés by using Ice Age methods. The various hypotheses for use, which are reproduced in the scientific experiments, are compared with the original pieces. At the international workshop, the commission will discuss the results and prepare the publication.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks