engleski

Studying ornaments from the Epigravettian and Mesolithic layers of Vlakno cave, Croatia: Some preliminary results

The site of Vlakno is a rock shelter situated on the island of Dugi otok in the Adriatic sea, Croatia. Systematic excavations that are still ongoing revealed rich deposits from the Mesolithic and Palaeolithic period. This site is one of the richest sites on the Eastern Adriatic coast with the finds of ornamental assemblage from the Mesolithic and Epigravettian period. Almost 500 specimens of body ornaments, have been discovered so far, along with numerous unperforated marine gastropods species. According to the raw material, ornamental assemblage can be divided into three groups: marine gastropods, bivalves and scaphopoda ; freshwater gastropods ; terrestrial mammals (teeth and bones). Long sequence of the site’s use may provide information on long-term variations in raw materials selection and technology. Furthermore, careful analysis may give insight into symbolic value of certain ornaments, as well as on possible routes of trade and exchange. On- going multidisciplinary studies include analyses of zooarchaeological origin of the raw material, technological analysis of manufacturing techniques and macro- and microscopic analyses of usewear traces. In this paper preliminary results will be presented, in particular analyses of technological procedures ; advantages and problems of use of diverse magnification will be discussed.

ornaments, red deer, canines, molluscs, Adriatic

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