Ornamented Osseous Projectile Points from the Balcarka and Pekárna Caves: Evidence of Direct Interrelations between Two Magdalenian Sites in the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)

Abstract

The Magdalenian cave sites Pekárna and Balcarka, both located in the Moravian Karst (CZ), yielded two decorated antler projectile points which resemble each other remarkably: both have a rounded cross section, very probably a solid base and bear a complex double line and rhomb ornaments which is without parallel in the Central European Magdalenian. Hence, the resemblance suggests that both points belonged to the same individual who had visited both Pekárna and Balcarka, which are approx. 15 km apart. One conventional ¹⁴C measurement dates the Balcarka cave at around 14,000 yrs BP (17,000 yrs cal BP). Assuming that this date can be applied to the visits that gave rise to the decorated points, one can conclude that the Pekárna was occupied already during the Middle Magdalenian. Consequently both projectiles bear witness to the onset of the Magdalenian in the Czech Republic.