Bringing culture back into focus: Osseous implements from Southern Vietnam

In search of a musical past: evidence for early chordophones from Vietnam

“…In-depth analyses of the antler artefacts were conducted between 2012 and 2016 during visits to Long An Museum in Tân An Province. In addition, Jennifer R. Hull (2018, in press) has examined more than 600 osseous artefacts from the Neolithic settlements of An Son, Rach Nui and Loc Giang ( c. 4000–3200 cal. BP), as well as the Metal Age sites of Go O Chua and Lo Gach ( c. 3000 cal BP) (locations on Figure 1).…”

The Bone Sumak for Infant Care, an Invention From Southern Siberian Nomadism or Contact With the Hunnic Tribes?

“…The archaeological excavations produced a range of cultural materials including large quantities of pottery, well-preserved animal bones, evidence of production and use of copper alloys, and several stone artefacts. A notable feature of the assemblages was the quantity and diversity of osseous artefacts recovered (Hull, 2018).…”

“…1). These points were further categorised into 'formal' and 'informal' points based on systematised morphologies (Andrefsky Jr., 2005;Hull, 2018) attesting to the use of distinct systems in hafting this material otherwise comparable to its ergonomic properties (symmetry, balance). Based on previous research on projectile technology used in hunting (Cattelain, 1997;Cattelain/ Perpère, 1993;Knecht, 1997;Yu, 2006), as well as the breakage patterns and evidence of composite hafting observed on the projectile points of discussion here, allow us to associate them as projectile heads with undetachable hafting systems.…”

“…A large part of the two assemblages was identified as the remains of débitage allowing the identification of various stages in manufacture, such as the removal of epiphyses from bone and of tine/burr portions from deer antler (Miller, 2007;Pelegrin et al, 1988). Of the manufacturing technology, 'string-sawing' (Lothrop, 1955;Pailler, 2009;Poplin, 1974;Schibler, 2001) was the most prevalent technique at Lò Gạch to remove segments of antler and identified by the smooth aspect of the striations developed on straight cut ends with a strong wave-like pattern (Hull, 2018: by Poplin (1974). In this, the technique would have enabled more precision in the lengths of segments obtained; antler production using this technique might have been developed for standardised production (of formal points, for instance).…”

“…There are many documented assemblages of osseous industry throughout Thailand, and northern Vietnam, as well as early Holocene projectiles and hafted points with evidence of fibres and resins throughout the broader region (Barton et al, 2009;Harrisson/Medway, 1962;Higham, 1993;Pawlik, 2013;Rabett, 2008Rabett, , 2012Rabett, & 2016Rabett/Piper, 2012;Zhang et al, 2015). In southern Vietnam, ancient bone technology is discussed from two excavated mounds located approximately 10km from each other on the banks of the Vàm Co Tây River near the Cambodian border (Bùi et al 2006;Ngô/Bùi, 1997;Hull, 2018). As we are searching for possible signs of mobility within the region in the use of projectile technology including reasons for technical change in this material domain (David et al, this volume;Yu, 2006), this paper will focus on presenting the characteristic bone points from these two Vietnamese mounds; Gò Ô Chùa and Lò Gạch (Fig.…”