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Towards an understanding of hominin marrow extraction strategies: a proposal for a percussion mark terminology

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Abstract

Percussion marks have been studied in the field of archaeology for more than a century. Researchers have identified, characterized and analysed them in order to distinguish them from traces of environment modification to bone and reconstruct hominin subsistence strategies. The multiplicity of studies based on percussion marks in different languages has led to a proliferation of different terminologies used for the same marks, especially in English. In addition, as a result of numerous experimental studies or ethnological observations, it is possible to accurately identify the different steps of the butchery process and each of the related marks. We know from experimental studies that the morphology of percussion traces inflicted by the same tools can differ as their morphology depends on many factors (i.e. location and intensity of blows, intrinsic bone variables). In addition to this, carnivore and hominin traces can be superimposed, which sometimes renders their interpretation difficult. Renewed interest in these percussion marks owing to the emergence of new technical means highlighted the need to review their classification and clarify the nomenclature. With this in mind, we reviewed the abundant scientific literature to propose a refined and descriptive nomenclature. The aim is to provide a coherent terminology for the description and analysis of impact fractures in different European languages. We also propose classifying percussion marks into three categories: (1) percussion marks sensu stricto, (2) traces consecutive to bone breakage and (3) striation marks related to marrow extraction.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the editor and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive remarks on this manuscript. The English manuscript was edited by L. Byrne, an official translator and native English speaker. We are grateful to the Fondation Nestlé.

Funding

This project was supported by the Fondation Nestlé France (SJ 671–16) (https://fondation.nestle.fr/); the Centre d’Information des Viandes – Viande, sciences et société (SJ 334–17); and the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. R. Blasco develops her work within the Spanish MINECO/FEDER projects CGL2015–68604-P, and the Generalitat de Catalunya-AGAUR projects CLT009/18/00055 and 2017 SGR 836. I. Cáceres received financial support of the Spain Government (project n° PGC2018–093925-B-C32 (MICINN-Feder) and the 2017 SGR1040 (AGAUR) and the 2018PFR-URV-B2–91 (URV) projects. Research at IPHES is framed in the CERCA program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département Homme et Environnement, Histoire Naturelle de l’Homme Préhistorique (HNHP, UMR 7194), Sorbonne Universités, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, 1 rue René Panhard, 75013, Paris, France

    Delphine Vettese, Marie-Hélène Moncel & Camille Daujeard

  2. Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy

    Delphine Vettese & Ursula Thun Hohenstein

  3. Centro Nacional de Investigación Sobre la Evolución Humana, CENIEH, Paseo Sierra de Atapuerca 3, 09002, Burgos, Spain

    Ruth Blasco

  4. Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Avinguda de Catalunya 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain

    Isabel Cáceres

  5. IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Zona Educacional 4 – Campus Sescelades URV (Edifici W3), 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Isabel Cáceres

  6. MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, Institute of Ancient Studies Johannes Gutenberg–University Mainz Schloss Monrepos D, 56567, Neuwied, Germany

    Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser

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  1. Delphine Vettese
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Vettese, D., Blasco, R., Cáceres, I. et al. Towards an understanding of hominin marrow extraction strategies: a proposal for a percussion mark terminology. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 48 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00972-8

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