Abstract
In comparison with some other parts of the world, there has been a
marked lack of engagement with the functional study of bone tools in
southern Africa. Only a handful of researchers are actively conducting
work on this important aspect of material culture on the subcontinent.
In this paper, I explore four avenues of use-trace analyses
that can be used to investigate the past function of bone tools, namely,
use-wear, macrofracture analysis, morphological residues studies and
micro-focus computed tomography. Despite the increasing application
of sophisticated analytical software, definitions of use-traces still differ
among analysts. Here I provide a brief overview of various use-trace
indicators and descriptions of how to identify them. Wherever possible,
I use only the consensus definitions and descriptions of the various
use-traces for easier identification by a non-expert.