Little, Aimee Patrice orcid.org/0000-0003-4713-4260, Hunter, Emily, Petrović, Anđa et al. (10 more authors) (2024) Stone axes throw new light on Baltic stone age mortuary rites. Scientific Reports. 16219. ISSN 2045-2322
Abstract
Despite their ubiquity, Mesolithic lithic tools given as funerary offerings have rarely been studied in detail. Whereas personal ornaments (e.g. beads, pendants) are commonly interpreted as markers of social identity and status, archaeologists have struggled to understand the stone tools, commonly regarded as “utilitarian” items. As a result, this class of grave goods has not received the same level of attention, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of Mesolithic mortuary behaviours. Our research challenges long-lasting perceptions of lithic tools as strictly utilitarian objects and draws on studies of one of the most substantial stone axe funerary collections from one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe–Zvejnieki, Latvia. Evidence suggests the selection of unused axes as grave offerings, while unusual wear traces on an axe found in a female grave (no 57) raises questions about its use in the burial rites. Using a multi-proxy approach, we compare life histories of axes placed in burials to those recovered from contemporary, nearby settlement contexts. Finally, a strong correlation between axes and women and children at Zvejnieki challenges gendered stereotypes of stone tools, historically regarded as possessions of the adult male members of Stone Age societies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024, The Author(s) |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (York) > Archaeology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Hull York Medical School (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 18 Jul 2024 12:20 |
Last Modified: | 11 Mar 2025 00:10 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66854-9 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1038/s41598-024-66854-9 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:214947 |
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Description: Stone axes throw new light on Baltic stone age mortuary rites
Licence: CC-BY 2.5