Experimental Data on Jade Drilling by Hollow Bone and Copper Tube

Abstract

In the Urals and adjacent territories, jade products are few and represented mainly by jewelry (rings and beads). The only exception is the preparation of the mace. All products date back to the Bronze Age. In other territories jade products (drilled axes) are known in the materials of the Borodino hoard in Moldova and hoard L in Troy. This article presents the results of experiments on drilling jade in different ways and using different abrasives. Drilling was done with a hollow bone drill and a copper tube. The experiments helped to clarify some aspects of the technology of manufacturing large diameter holes using a drill and rotation. At the same time, labor costs were determined in the process of using a bone drill and a copper tube. The important role of abrasives used for drilling has become clear. © 2021 High Anthropological School University. All rights reserved.