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The Identification of Hafting Adhesive on a Slotted Antler Point from a Southwest Yukon Ice Patch

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Kate Helwig ,
Valery Monahan  and
Jennifer Poulin
Kate Helwig
Affiliation:
Canadian Conservation Institute, 1030 Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0M5 (kate_helwig@pch.gc.ca, jennifer_poulin@pch.gc.ca)
Valery Monahan
Affiliation:
Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Yukon, Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon, CanadaY1A 2C6 (valery.monahan@gov.yk.ca)
Jennifer Poulin
Affiliation:
Canadian Conservation Institute, 1030 Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0M5 (kate_helwig@pch.gc.ca, jennifer_poulin@pch.gc.ca)
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Abstract

This article describes the identification of a hafting adhesive on an antler point, slotted for microblade insertion. The adhesive, found in the slots of the point, would have held the microblades in place. Radiocarbon dated to 7310 ± 40 B.P. (uncalibrated), the point is one of the oldest and best-preserved artifacts recovered from the melting alpine ice patches in southwestern Yukon, Canada. Because the artifact was frozen, the organic components have not degraded and a detailed chemical analysis was possible. Analyses of residue in the slots of the point by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that a conifer resin adhesive was used. The high concentration of diterpene resin acids with an abietane or pimerane skeleton confirmed a Pinaceae source for the resin. There were no chemical markers to indicate that the resin had been strongly heated to produce tar or pitch. Based on a comparison with five Pinaceae resins from trees common to southern Yukon, the resin from the slotted point most closely resembles the chemical profile of spruce (Picea sp.). The identification of this hafting adhesive on a slotted point adds significantly to our understanding of early hunting technology in Yukon.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article décrit l’identification d’un adhésif d’emmanchement sur une pointe en bois de cervidé rainurée pour y insérer des microlames. L’adhésif, trouvé dans les rainures de la pointe, aurait maintenu les microlames en place. Datant de 7310 ± 40 avant le présent (carbone-14, non étalonné), la pointe est l’un des artéfacts les plus anciens et les mieux préservés qui ont été retrouvés dans les plaques de glace alpine du sud-ouest du Yukon, au Canada. Étant donné que l’artéfact était congelé, les constituants organiques ne se sont pas dégradés et une analyse chimique approfondie a été possible. L’analyse des résidus logés dans les rainures de la pointe par spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Fourier et spectrométrie de masse couplée à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse a démontré qu’un adhésif à base de résine de conifère a été utilisé. La concentration élevée d’acides diterpéniques ayant un squelette de type abiétane ou pimarane a confirmé que la résine provenait de Pinaceae. Il n’y avait pas de marqueurs chimiques indiquant que la résine aurait été soumise à des températures très élevées pour produire du brai. Après avoir comparé cinq résines provenant de Pinaceae communs dans le sud du Yukon, il a été établi que le profil chimique de la résine de la pointe à rainure correspond très étroitement à celui d’une espèce d"épicéa (Picea). L’identification de cet adhésif d’emmanchement dans une pointe à rainure contribue à une meilleure compréhension des anciennes techniques de chasse au Yukon.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 279 - 288
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2008

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