Turk

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK 56, 2005

Ivan TURK, Miran PFLAUM and Dean PEKAROVIČ

Results of computer tomography of the oldest suspected flute from Divje babe I (Slovenia):
contribution to the theory of making holes in bones

Abstract

The suspected flute from the Mousterian site Divje babe I in Slovenia was analysed with the aid of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and reinterpreted in the light of two hypotheses, one of which envisages an artificial origin of the holes and the other a natural one. It was found that there were four holes on the diaphysis; that at least two were made prior to the damage to the proximal and distal ends of the diaphysis; and that carnivores could not have made all the holes, but one at most. The holes are very probably artificial, made by the combined use of stone and simple bone tools found at the Divje babe I site. The majority, and probably all the damage made by carnivores on the suspected flute, are of secondary origin. Conclusions about the origin of the holes cannot therefore be reached only on the basis of the damage, and the hypothesis of an artificial origin cannot be rejected.

Keywords: Divje babe I cave, Slovenia, Mousterian, “flute”, multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT)

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