Observations on the use of a bone chisel as a weapon using the example of a Corded Ware double burial from Knittlingen, Baden-Württemberg

Abstract Skull injuries, especially those caused by interpersonal violence, are not uncommon in archaeological contexts. However, depending on the state of preservation of the skeletal material, it can be difficult to determine the cause of the injury. In the present case of a Corded Ware double burial from Knittlingen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany), the analysis of a healed trepanation and an unhealed blunt force trauma is relatively conclusive. However, due to the dimensions of the injury, none of the customary weapons appear to be a suitable candidate. For this reason, the hitherto ignored object group of bone chisels was taken into focus and examined for its suitability as weapons. As a result, the polished cutting edge in combination with the average muscular strength of an adult seems indeed to be sufficient to cause fractures to the skull. Nevertheless, it would be premature to interpret bone chisels from the Corded Ware culture as weapons in general, as only the present case is known so far. It therefore seems much more likely at present that in the case of Knittlingen a bone chisel was used as an accidental weapon-tool.