Mensch und Umwelt im Ringheiligtum von Pömmelte-Zackmünde, Salzlandkreis

0519530 - EÚ 2020 DE eng M - Monography Chapter
Sosna, Daniel - Spatzier, André
Arrowheads from Pömmelte-Zackmünde: Use-Wear analysis.
[Arrowheads from Pömmelte-Zackmünde: Use-Wear analysis.]
Mensch und Umwelt im Ringheiligtum von Pömmelte-Zackmünde, Salzlandkreis. Halle an der Saale: Landesamt für Denkmalpflege and Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, 2019 - (Meller, H.), s. 175-186. Forschungsberichte des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichte Halle, 10, 3. ISBN 978-3-944507-89-7
Institutional support: RVO:68378076
Keywords : use-wear analysis * ritual * warfare
OECD category: Antropology, ethnology

This study presents the research on 55 chert arrowheads that come from the enclosure at Pömmelte-Zackmünde. Fatigue and abrasive wear of the arrowheads were analysed using a stereoscopic microscope. To understand the nature of wear, an archery experiment with the replicas of Late Neolithic triangular arrowheads was conducted. Most remarkably, our results show that 24 out of 55 arrowheads display evidence of features which are traditionally considered as diagnostic of projectile impact. Polish mostly related to hafting was identified on the surface of approximately half of the samples. Furthermore, the majority of the arrowheads bear bright spots primarily resulting from post-depositional factors. We offer two competing hypotheses to explain the processes which affected the arrowheads at Pömmelte-Zackmünde. The first one views shooting at the site as evidence of ritual practices associated with public display and social recognition among the warriors. The second one regards shooting as evidence of defence against violent attacks of aggressors and a possible function of the enclosure as a fortification for the community.

This study presents the research on 55 chert arrowheads that come from the enclosure at Pömmelte-Zackmünde. Fatigue and abrasive wear of the arrowheads were analysed using a stereoscopic microscope. To understand the nature of wear, an archery experiment with the replicas of Late Neolithic triangular arrowheads was conducted. Most remarkably, our results show that 24 out of 55 arrowheads display evidence of features which are traditionally considered as diagnostic of projectile impact. Polish mostly related to hafting was identified on the surface of approximately half of the samples. Furthermore, the majority of the arrowheads bear bright spots primarily resulting from post-depositional factors. We offer two competing hypotheses to explain the processes which affected the arrowheads at Pömmelte-Zackmünde. The first one views shooting at the site as evidence of ritual practices associated with public display and social recognition among the warriors. The second one regards shooting as evidence of defence against violent attacks of aggressors and a possible function of the enclosure as a fortification for the community.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0304979