Rocher de la Peine, Les Eyzies, Dordogne

NECKLACE

Magdalenian IV, ca. 12,000 BP
Dentalium shell and bear, lion, fox and deer teeth 
Largest tooth 8.5 cm 
Rocher de la Peine, Les Eyzies (Dordogne), France 
Museum Purchase 
LMA 4.7.253

These objects were purchased in 1925 from Jean Esclafer, a local miller who had excavated the site, and from whom the Logan Museum leased the site for further exploration. Three of the large teeth are bear canines, the fourth is from a lion (second from the right). A number of smaller teeth are also present: a wolf incisor, a deer canine and incisor, and a fox canine. 

NECKLACE (DETAIL)

LMA 4.7.253

A detail of the lion canine reveals a series of incisions along all sides of the tooth. The tooth has been flattened and drilled for use as a pendant in a necklace. The incisions may indicate that this was considered a valued piece, perhaps because it came from a lion rather than from the more common bear.

NECKLACE (DETAIL)

LMA 4.7.253

A variety of other teeth and shell form the remainder of the pendants. Here we have, (from the top), a red deer incisor, turritella shell, fox canine and cowrie shell. Such variety indicates the relative  rarity of the various pieces, as well as a degree of artistic sensibility.

TRIDENT AND BARBED POINTS

Late Magdalenian, ca. 11,000 BP
Antler and bird bone, largest piece 8.1 cm long 
Rocher de la Peine, Les Eyzies (Dordogne), France 
Collected during 1926 French Paleolithic Expedition 
LMA 4.7.255, 4.7.270, 4.7.273 

The site at Rocher de la Peine was excavated in 1926 by George Collie and Alonzo Pond, and has been referred to as the "Logan Museum site". The site yielded a large number of ivory objects, such as these needles and barbed points. Small harpoons such as those depicted here were likely used for spear-fishing.