Building 6 in Trench N has revealed the intriguing features this week. The first is an auroch’s horn core set into the wall of the building next to the entrance. The second consisted of two large animal scapulae uncovered in a small pit set into the building floor – one was a wild boar scapula the other was wild goat or deer. Whilst caches of tools, such as obsidian blades and bone hammers, have been found in this building over the years, these two scapulae do not, at first glance at least, appear to have been modified or used as tools they many have been used for plastering. The question remains as to why they were plastered into this pit. Perhaps they had to be incorporated into the house at the end of their lives.
Cec and Doug investigating the scapula.
Dr Louise Martin adding her expertise.
Dr Martin in Trench N.
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at 12:04 pm
Hello to all current Boncuklu dwellers from an old friend.
It’s great to hear about all your exciting findings this year, but this one is particularly interesting to me at the moment. With the possibility that one scapula might be a wild deer, would the fabulous Dr Martin take a highly educated guess at the species?
at 10:18 pm
Hi Holly, good to hear from you and a good question! We’ve had mostly fallow deer from Boncuklu so far, but deer in general only make up a small percent. Some antler it’s impossible to tell whether it’s red or fallow, fragments are so small. This scapula in trench N is only ‘possibly’ cervid since it’s fragmented in all the diagnostic places so can’t be sure, but from the size and morphology we have it would fit cervid best. My guess from size would be fallow deer, but must stress it’s not 100% certain because of poor condition… Do be in touch if you need more info.