EXARC Journal (Aug 2019)

Spinning in Circles: the Production and Function of Upper Palaeolithic Rondelles

  • Andy Needham,
  • Andy Langley,
  • Hannah Benton,
  • Sam Biggs,
  • Jessica Cousen,
  • Alice Derry,
  • Molly Hardman,
  • Katharine Macy,
  • Dylan Millar,
  • Elena Murray,
  • Fraser Pock,
  • James Rowsell,
  • Marionna Sandin Catacora,
  • George van Oordt,
  • Daniel Veitch-Scoggins,
  • Aimée Little

Journal volume & issue
no. 2019/3

Abstract

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Rondelles are thin, circular disc cut-outs typically made from the blade of the scapula of medium sized ungulates, such as horse or cervid. These are primarily associated with the Late Upper Palaeolithic Magdalenian and focused around northwest Europe. Rondelles are frequently perforated, with 2 mm - 3 mm diameter holes being common. There are many questions as to the production and use of rondelles. In this article, we discuss experiments on the making of both bone and slate rondelles and their usage.

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