Neolithic artifacts made of bone and horn are rare in the forest-steppe part of the Ishim region and in Western Siberia in general. The rich assemblage of bone and horn tools discovered at Mergen-6 is unique and provides evidence of the technical sophistication attained by the bearers of the Koshkino culture. The assemblage has been subjected to typological and use-wear analyses which have revealed high levels of domestic crafts such as skin processing, woodworking, ceramic production, net and mat weaving, etc. The principal features of bone and horn processing are assessed in the context of other Neolithic traditions.
Keywords: Neolithic, forest-steppe zone, Ishim region, Mergen-6 settlement, Koshkino culture, bone and horn tools,
use-wear analysis.
