A Unique Engraved Shale Pendant from the Site of Star Carr: the oldest Mesolithic art in Britain

Internet Archaeology

Laura C. Fitton¹  Barry Taylor²  Chantal Conneller³  Becky Knight⁴  Michael Bamforth⁴  Gareth Beale⁴  Charlotte C.A. Rowley⁴  Shannon Croft⁴  Ben Elliott⁴  Nicky Milner⁴  Andy Needham⁴  Harry K. Robson⁴  Julian C. Carty⁴  Aimée Little⁴  Roland Kröger⁴  Konstantinos Chatzipanagis⁴ 

[1] Hull York Medical School;University of Chester;University of Manchester;University of York;

关键词: Star Carr;    Yorkshire;    Mesolithic;    art;    pendant;    RTI;    SEM;    use wear;    amulet;    engraving;   

DOI  :  10.11141/ia.40.8

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In 2015 an engraved shale pendant was found during excavations at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr, UK. Engraved motifs on Mesolithic pendants are extremely rare, with the exception of amber pendants from southern Scandinavia. The artwork on the pendant is the earliest known Mesolithic art in Britain; the 'barbed line' motif is comparable to styles on the Continent, particularly in Denmark. When it was first uncovered the lines were barely visible but using a range of digital imaging techniques it has been possible to examine them in detail and determine the style of engraving as well as the order in which the lines might have been made. In addition, microwear and residue analyses were applied to examine whether the pendant showed signs that it had been strung or worn, and whether the lines had been made more visible through the application of pigments, as has been suggested for some Danish amber pendants. This approach of using multiple scientific and analytical techniques has not been used previously and provides a methodology for the examination of similar artefacts in the future.

【 授权许可】

Unknown