Horse exploitation at the Late Upper Palaeolithic site of Oelknitz (Thuringia, Germany) with special reference to canine modifications

The faunal assemblage from Structure 5 of the Magdalenian settlement Oelknitz (Thuringia, Germany) was analyzed. The fauna is dominated by horse. All stages of butchery from skinning to marrow extraction were performed within the horse assemblage. In addition to this, various stages of organic artifact production could be documented. Two fragmentary equid canine teeth were of particular interest. They are the only documented canines from Structure 5, which otherwise contained a large amount of teeth. Both canines show traces of human modification. They were cut out of the jaw while still in the alveole. On both canines, lateral incisions were performed at the cervix dentis and the crown then broken off. These incisions are comparable to cuts performed on antler pieces from the site, although due to the firm tooth enamel it is more time-consuming and arduous to perform this kind of modification on teeth. The observed modifications differ considerably from the widespread practices of perforating or caving, observed particularly on carnivore teeth utilized as pendants. The practice of cutting off horse canines is reported here for the first time.