ENEOLITHIC BONE TOOLS FROM THE OSKINO BOLOTO SETTLEMENT

Abstract

The present article studies the Eneolithic complex of bone tools from the Oskino Boloto settlement. This set-tlement is located on the territory of the subtaiga Tobol area (Yalutorovsky District, Tyumen Region), on the left bank of the first floodplain terrace of the Iset River. The Eneolithic complex is dated to the time between the early (end of the 4th — beginning of the 3rd millennia B.C.) and late (first third — end of the 3rd millennium B.C.) stages in the development of the Bayryk-Lybayevo culture. Given the absence of tools made of bone and horn in many settlements, which could provide additional information on the production activities of the carriers of Eneo-lithic cultural traditions from the subtaiga Tobol area, this study is aimed at introducing a complex of bone tools from the above-mentioned settlement into scientific circulation. The planigraphic and stratigraphic analyses of the settlement’s occupation layer indicate that the distribution of bone tools is restricted to the structure 56 and two adjacent ditches containing ceramics of the Eneolithic Era. Using typological and trace analyses, the authors de-termined the methods used for the production of these tools, their assortment and functional purpose. The trace analysis of bone tools from the Oskino Boloto settlement revealed that the predominant use of tools for hunting and fishing, as well as the presence of tools for processing of hides and wood, pottery making and braiding. The typological forms of bone tools from the Oskino Boloto settlement reflect almost the entire range of economic and production activities. A dagger and heads of throwing weapons constitute the most significant items of this com-plex. Their forms are consistent and fit into the range of similar items, characteristic of both the preceding Neo-lithic Era and the Eneolithic Era.

Keywords

• forest-steppe Tobol basin
• Eneolithic
• Bayryk-Lybayevo culture
• ceramics
• bone tools