Raw material. Weapon. Prey: Comparative analysis of the osseous projectile technology of the Central European Magdalenian

• Applicant: Dr. Sebastian Pfeifer
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 277455211

The objective of this three-year research project is a summarizing study of the osseous projectile technology of the Central European Magdalenian in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic. The basis is a detailed and standardized catalogue comprising the metrical and formal data of all known projectile points (ca. 1.800), barbed points (ca. 80), half-round rods (ca. 22), and foreshafts (ca. 13) from 68 archaeological sites. Their quantitative analysis allows an objective visualization and evaluation of typological variance, chronological development, artifact biographies and functional spectra for those important tool types. To judge the specific structural and mechanical properties of biological raw materials against a cultural background, new materials-scientific investigations are carried out. The integration of ethno-archaeological analogies, experimental-archaeological studies and the archaeozoological record renders the discussion of the interactions between the raw material, weapon design and prey species for the Upper Paleolithic possible.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants