Call for Papers: Current Studies on Archaeological Worked Bone Heritage

EXARC is pleased to announce a call for articles for a special volume of the journal Heritage, titled "Current Studies on Archaeological Worked Bone Heritage."

This volume aims to showcase the growing body of diverse research focused on historical and prehistoric artifacts made from osseous raw materials (bone, antler, ivory). The volume will include a significant focus on Experimental Archaeology.

Recent studies on worked bone heritage have increasingly employed advanced techniques to reconstruct the full life-cycle of these artifacts. We welcome contributions that utilize or explore these innovative methods.

Technological Studies are crucial for reconstructing the chaîne opératoire (operational sequence), which details the steps from selecting raw materials to the final production of various artifact types. Additionally, Functional (Use-Wear) Research involves complicated traceological studies that help interpret the specific functions of ancient bone tools. Furthermore, Residue Analysis—the identification of organic and inorganic residues on bone tools—provides vital clues about the materials processed by these implements.

These detailed analyses are now being carried out using a wide range of state-of-the-art imaging and analytical techniques. This includes traditional Stereo optical and metallographic microscopes, as well as advanced imaging like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Confocal Microscopy, Micro-Computed Tomography ($\mu$-CT), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

We encourage submissions addressing several themes: New methods and research tools in studies of bone artifacts are welcome, as are Technological and functional studies on collections of prehistoric and historical bone products. Submissions concerning Taphonomy in the study of ancient bone industries, and Residues analysis in the studies of osseous artifacts are also encouraged.

Interested in contributing your research? Check the flyer below.