What is it about?

A human radius was found buried along with various other bones in a disused oven at the Mesolithic-Neolithic site of Lepenski Vir (Serbia) . It presents a series of small notches engraved along the surface. Using Focus Variation Microscopy these modifications are examined. It is investigated how these marks were made, why they might have been created, and what this can tell us about the beliefs of these past populations.

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Why is it important?

Focus Variation Microscopy is a new method for analysing surface modifications on bones. Its application in this case has shed light on how these engravings were produced. Results indicate that groupings of incisions were created together, but at different times. This bone was likely curated, marking a series of important events. This is a rare example of engraving on a human bone from European Prehistory.

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This page is a summary of: An Engraved Human Bone from the Mesolithic–Neolithic Site of Lepenski Vir (Serbia), Cambridge Archaeological Journal, April 2016, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0959774316000020.
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