Study of Bone artefacts and use techniques from the Neolithic Jordanian site; Tell Abu Suwwan (PPNB-PN)

In this paper we would like to present the experimental study carried out in order to reproduce the bone artifacts coming from the Neolithic site Tell Abu Suwwan-Jordan. This experimental project aims to complete the archaeozoological analysis of the bone artifacts in order to contribute to understand the cultural perspective during the occupation of Tell Abu Suwwan. Tell Abu Suwwan is one of Pre Pottery Neolithic mega villages which is located in Northern Jordan. The site was excavated by the University of Jordan 2005,2006,2007 and 2008 field excavations, directed by prof. M Al Nahar, suggest that the site was occupied continually from the Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic phase B (MPPNB) to the Yarmoukian (PN) period. During the excavation of Tell Abu Suwwan 46 bone artifacts has been recovered: some are bone tools like points and awls and others present engraving on the surface: as parallel cut marks. The preferred raw material is bone of medium size animals like gazelle and goat, which ribs and tibia and radius were modified to obtain those artifacts. In cooperation with Prof. M Al Nahar, who studies the lithic industry of Tell Abu Suwwan, the researchers of the University of Ferrara reproduced experimentally the bone objects by using the the lithic tools similar to the original ones. SEM analysis were carried out both on the bone objects and the lithic instruments to document the marks related to the manufacturing and utilization of the bones artefacts and the flint use wear.