ANIMAL PERFORATED TEETH DEPOSIT FROM MAGDALENIAN SITE AT WILCZYCE (SOUTHEASTERN POLAND). WHAT THEY WERE USED FOR? A USE-WEAR CASE STUDY

Abstract

Many years of research on archaeological site at Wilczyce brought into light a unique and diversified evidence of the Late Magdalenian hunters living in southeastern Poland. Among several thousands of artefacts one hundred sixty two perforated teeth of arctic fox were discovered. There were deposited in one spot of ca. 10 cm in diameter, close to female skeleton in prenatal age. Large part of the assemblage (few dozens of best preserved pieces) were a subject of traceological investigations in order to establish how these decorations were made and which way they were wearing. Perforations in teeth were made in two ways and the teeth were fastened on both side being cloth’ decoration. Probably complete teeth were ripped off the cloth before deposition and put together with broken specimens (collected purposely) in a small sack made of organic material.