Animal remains, animal bone, red deer bone

An Early Mesolithic red deer bone that has been butchered dating 8,500 - 8,000 BCE. The long bone has been heated on the campfire and then cracked open to extract the marrow. It was excavated from a Mesolithic campsite, there was evidence of extensive flint working and processing of hunted animals. Out of all the animal bones excavated, red deer was the most abundant. Red deer were valued as a good food source, and nothing was wasted. Hides were used to make clothing, boats and tents; sinew was used for sewing thread and bindings; guts were used to make containers; bone for a variety of tools; hooves were turned into glue; antler was used for making flint tools, bows, projectile points, gaming counters, toggles and pegs.