Middle Paleolithic bone retouchers from the Bioce site in Montenegro

The article provides first results of the unshaped bone tools investigation discovered at the Middle Paleolithic rock shelter Bioce in Montenegro. In the course of analyzing the paleontological materials from the site, a series of bone retouchers was identified. This type of tools was first identified in the archaeological assemblages of the site, which belong to the Micro-Mousterian facies of the regional Middle Paleolithic scale. During the study, more than 12 thousand bone fragments were analyzed, among which 26 retouchers were identified. It was found that the taphocenosis of the site was formed mainly due to human hunting activities. Fragments of the ungulates bone diaphysis of the size of a roe deer or ibex and larger ones of the size of a red deer or bison were used as blanks for retouchers. In some cases, the bone fragments demonstrate the evidence of additional processing in the form of longitudinal or transverse trimming, and bear signs of scraping in the periosteum. Tools usually have one working zone, near one of the base transverse edge. The utilization degree of retouchers is mostly weak, with numerous but sparse and shallow elongated potholes. A number of tools demonstrate signs of burning after use. The closest cultural and chronological parallels to the retouchers from the Bioce site were noted in the assemblages of the Crvena Stijena rock shelter in Montenegro. In general, the use of bones by the Neanderthals in their tool activities is not widespread but quite common. At the same time, the collection of retouchers from the Bioce site is currently the most representative in the Middle Paleolithic of the Eastern Adriatic and entire Balkans.