Importance of experimental andedge-wear analysis methods in the studies ofpaleolithic bone industries: the example of Eastern European sites

This paper discusses importance of experimental research methods in thestudies of bone industries. It contains a brief review of the areas where the employmentof such methods has proven to be the most effective in recent years. It is importantto be aware of the fact that a modern person is not always able to understand actualprocesses used in making and application of many bone items from the Paleolithic period.Therefore, it is not possible to rely on empiric concepts of a modern person based onhis or her life experience. At the current stage of scientific development the applicationof experimental and edge-wear research methods is now not only possible but is alsomandatory. The morphology analysis of Paleolithic bone items without linkage to theirproduction technology and functionality inevitably leads to controversial and sometimeserroneous results.