Observations on the use of a bone chisel as a weapon using the example of a Corded Ware double burial from Knittlingen, Baden-Württemberg

Abstract

Skull injuries, especially those caused by interpersonal violence, are not uncommon in archaeological contexts. However, depending on the state of preservation of the skeletal material, it can be difficult to determine the cause of the injury. In the present case of a Corded Ware double burial from Knittlingen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany), the analysis of a healed trepanation and an unhealed blunt force trauma is relatively conclusive. However, due to the dimensions of the injury, none of the customary weapons appear to be a suitable candidate. For this reason, the hitherto ignored object group of bone chisels was taken into focus and examined for its suitability as weapons. As a result, the polished cutting edge in combination with the average muscular strength of an adult seems indeed to be sufficient to cause fractures to the skull. Nevertheless, it would be premature to interpret bone chisels from the Corded Ware culture as weapons in general, as only the present case is known so far. It therefore seems much more likely at present that in the case of Knittlingen a bone chisel was used as an accidental weapon-tool.

Zusammenfassung

Schädelverletzungen, insbesondere durch zwischenmenschliche Gewalteinwirkung verursachte, sind in archäologischen Kontexten keine Seltenheit. Je nach Erhaltungszustand des Skelettmaterials kann sich die Ansprache schwierig gestalten, besonders wenn es um die verantwortliche Ursache geht. Im vorliegenden Fall einer schnurkeramischen Doppelbestattung aus Knittlingen (Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland) ist die Analyse einer verheilten Trepanation und einer unverheilten Hiebverletzung relativ eindeutig, allerdings scheint aufgrund der Dimensionen keine der üblichen Waffen für die perimortale Verletzung in Frage zu kommen. Aus diesem Grund wurde die bisher unbeachtete Objektgruppe der Knochenmeißel in den Fokus genommen und auf ihre Eignung als Waffe überprüft. Tatsächlich scheint die geschliffene Schneidekante in Verbindung mit der durchschnittlichen Muskelkraft eines Erwachsenen ausreichend um Frakturen am Schädel zu erzeugen. Dennoch wäre es verfrüht Knochenmeißel in schnurkeramischer Zeit generell als Waffen zu interpretieren, da bisher nur der vorliegende Fall bekannt ist. Viel wahrscheinlicher scheint es deshalb im Moment davon auszugehen, dass ein Knochenmeißel in Knittlingen als zufällige Werkzeug-Waffe zum Einsatz kam.

Keywords

weapon-tools - fracture pattern - trephination - impact force - sharp-blunt force

Schlüsselwörter

Werkzeug-Waffen - Bruchmuster - Trepanation - Schlagdruck - Halb-scharfe Gewalt

Publication History

Received: 13 November 2024

Accepted: 10 December 2024

Article published online:
11 February 2025

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