Fragmentation in zooarchaeological assemblages: The role of equifinal, random processes

Bone fragment-size distributions from three archaeological sites were examined in relation to a general model of mechanical fragmentation. The results show a close fit between archaeological bone size distributions and the model for all sites and skeletal elements, regardless of bone marrow content, shape, and recovery/recording procedures. The results suggest that the role played by general equifinal fragmentation processes in archaeological bone assemblage formation may be important, and deserves further study.