Bevel-ended bone artefacts from Pulli, Estonia: Early Mesolithic debarking tools?

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the first attempt of traceological studies (technological and functional) of bone products from the unique Early Mesolithic site of Pulli, Estonia. The analysis covered a group of specific tools made primarily from elk’s metapodial bones, referred to as Pulli-type bevel-ended tools. Through microscopic studies, the complete biography of these artefacts was reconstructed, considering all stages of their production and the phases of use and abandonment. Use-wear analysis and studies in the field of experimental archaeology allowed the interpretation of the function of these products, which can be perceived as specialised tools for obtaining bark (debarking). The results of the conducted studies were compared with those of singular technological and functional studies on similar early Holocene bone tools from European contexts.