The commission provides a forum for the diversity of approaches to the study of worked hard materials whose origin is animal or human in nature (bone, teeth, shell, horn, ivory, carapace, integument, antler…). Whatever the original contexts, issues of studying the “osseous” and dental materials used, unmodified or transformed, are anthropological.
Using methods and classifications applied to the study of objects, craft practices and knowledge, the commission aims to study the action and/or activity of humans (hominins) both in their material reality and in their intangible dimension. It aims to bring together specialists from all disciplines to demonstrate the importance of bone artefacts, or artefacts made using bone tools, in the knowledge of cultures and societies. The recognition of the objects in terms of shapes, materials, species and resources form part of the commission’s remit, as well as treatments for their transformation and use.
Besides their contribution to the understanding of the economies, crafts, beliefs and religions, the commission’s work is also concerned with the intrinsic, symbolic and aesthetic value of the artefacts, the nature of the assemblages, as well as the technological aspects and know-how involved.
In order to benefit from a ‘live’ peer review during the commission’s meetings, submitted papers are presented orally by their author(s). Accepted manuscripts are published in the form of thematic issues by the commission.
