The physics of cutmarks
| dc.contributor.author | Potter, Sheridan L., author | |
| dc.contributor.author | Todd, Larry C., author | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2007-01-03T07:11:52Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2007-01-03T07:11:52Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2004 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Cutmarks are the most direct evidence of faunal butchery by humans ; however, understanding the physical properties associated with their creation is critical when interpreting the archaeological record. By quantifying the minimum amount of force required to cut through soft tissue and the minimum amount of force required to produce a visible cutmark on the surface of bone, and then correlating those values with the maximum amount of force exerted by a human butchering with a stone tool, archaeologists will better understand the conditions conducive to creating cutmarks. A porcine metatarsal served as the specimen for the cutting experiment, while obsidian and chert flakes, and a scalpel blade were used as the cutting tools. Axial cutting force was measured with a dynamic loading cell, accurate to the nearest Newton. Cutmarks were replicated with rubber latex and were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope at varying degrees of magnification, and depth was measured to the nearest micrometer. Twenty adults (10 male and 10 female) volunteered to perform an experiment measuring the maximum amount of force that could be exerted in a kneeling position while holding a small flake and a large biface. Force was measured using a digital scale accurate to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. Results have shown that less force is required to cut through soft tissue using obsidian as opposed to chert flakes, the amount of force required to produce a visible cutmark on a bone is constant, and that on average males can exert a greater maximum force using both large and small stone tools than females. | |
| dc.description.award | Highest Honors. | |
| dc.format.medium | Student works | |
| dc.format.medium | posters | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10217/565 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.publisher | Colorado State University. Libraries | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | 2004 Projects | |
| dc.rights | Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. | |
| dc.subject | Stone implements -- Analysis | |
| dc.subject | Animal remains (Archaeology) -- Analysis | |
| dc.subject | Bones -- Analysis | |
| dc.title | The physics of cutmarks | |
| dc.type | StillImage | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dcterms.rights.dpla | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Animal Sciences | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Agricultural Sciences | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences |
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