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An Early Upper Palaeolithic decorated bone tubular rod from Pod Hradem Cave, Czech Republic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Duncan Wright ,
Ladislav Nejman ,
Francesco d'Errico ,
Miroslav Králík ,
Rachel Wood ,
Martin Ivanov  and
Šárka Hladilová
Duncan Wright
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
Ladislav Nejman
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic School of Social Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Francesco d'Errico
Affiliation:
Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5199 PACEA, Equipe Préhistoire, Paléoenvironnement, Patrimoine, Avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence, France Institute of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion, University of Bergen, Øysteinsgate 3, Bergen, Norway
Miroslav Králík
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
Rachel Wood
Affiliation:
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, 1 Mills Road, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Martin Ivanov
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
Šárka Hladilová
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
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Abstract

Personal ornaments are a notable feature of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in Europe and an important expression of modern human identity. The tubular bone rod from Pod Hradem Cave in the Czech Republic is the first example of its kind from Central Europe. Laboratory examination reveals the techniques used in its manufacture and underlines the skill of its maker. AMS dates and Bayesian modelling suggest a cultural association with the Early Aurignacian period. It illustrates the cultural links across large areas of Europe at this time, although it is unique in its specific combination of size, raw material and decorative features.

Keywords

Czech RepublicPod HrademMiddle–Upper Palaeolithic transitionpersonal ornamentbone technologycraft specialisationportable art
Type
Research articles
Information
Antiquity , Volume 88 , Issue 339 , March 2014 , pp. 30 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2014

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