THE STORY OF ONE HARPOON. REUTILIZATION OF AN OSSEOUS PROJECTILE FROM SUBNEOLITHIC AT ŠVENTOJI (LITHUANIA)

Abstract

Among the rich collection of osseous artefacts found in the Subneolithic and Neolithic levels from archaeological sites in Šventoji (Lithuania), a small fragment of a bone harpoon head is particularly interesting. The characteristics of the use-wear traces that were identified on the artefact suggest that the piece was reused as a kind of grinding tool. This observation became a starting point for a discussion concerning the presence of such practices in prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies of Europe and the significance of these kind of objects.