Animal rib tools in Bronze Age mining: insights from the Great Orme (UK) and Kartamysh (Ukraine) copper mines

Abstract This paper presents the results of a functional analysis of a relatively underexplored category of bone tools – primarily made from animal ribs – discovered within Bronze Age copper mining contexts. The study examines 30 bone artefacts from the Great Orme mines (North Wales, UK), associated with copper ore extraction, and draws comparative insights from rib tools documented at the well-studied bone tools collection from the mines (Eastern Ukraine). Functional evidence enables the reconstruction of tool kinematics and offers new interpretations that challenge previous assumptions about their roles. Building on experimental research at Kartamysh, which identified a distinct class of bone tools used for stirring and sweeping copper ore particles during wet beneficiation, this study explores the potential functions of similar artefacts from Great Orme. A brief review of other ore-processing sites employing wet beneficiation is also presented. Findings from both sites suggest variability in how ancient miners utilized rib tools for extraction and ore processing activities. However, the Great Orme collection requires further detailed examination and additional experimental research.