Large mammal butchering experiments using stone tools

Due to the fact that numerous natural events and human practices modify bones, unequivocal interpretation of bone modifications is sometimes difficult. Further to this, mimics, which are a result of non-human activity, produce the same or qualitatively similar patterns that complicate positive identification of cut marks made by hominins. Reliable measures are required for interpretation of bone modifications, and actualistic experimentation can help towards this. A number of taphonomic processes, including bone modification by various animals and geological processes are recorded in comparative collections housed at institutions in Gauteng. These provide reference material for taphonomists attempting to identify agents responsible for the modification and accumulation of fossil bone assemblages, particularly from early hominin cave sites in the Sterkfontein Valley. However, no reference material exists for hominin modification of bone, and thus motivates for the
collection of such traces.
The primary goal of this research is to create a modern comparative collection of complete large bovid skeletons that record butchering marks made by stone tools. Four different raw materials commonly found in the southern African archaeological record, namely chert, quartzite, dolerite and hornfels were selected for flake production. Butchery was conducted on three cows by modern Bushmen subsistence hunters skilled in the processing of animals. They form part of a relatively isolated group of !Xo-speaking Bushmen resident in Kacgae village in the Ghanzi district of western Botswana. This study focuses on characterising stonegenerated butchering marks at a macro-and microscopic scale, and documenting their location, number, orientation, size and morphology. Future research will broaden the butchering experiments to include a
range of indigenous people processing domestic and wild animals in order to address a number of faunal taphonomy questions. Here we present an account
of progress to date.