Shark Vertebra Bead
| Accession No. | T0030672 |
|---|---|
| Period | Iron Age |
| Material | Bones |
| Findspot | Shih-san-hang Site |
| Geographic Location | Dinggu Village, Bali District, New Taipei City |
| Dimension | D. 1.6 cm; Diam. of Outside 3.2 cm; Diam. of Inside 0.8 cm |
Description
This bone bead is made of the Vertebra vertebra of Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). The bead has a drilled hole in the middle. The bead is polished on the edges but has the inner bone structure exposed., the side of the bead was worked as smooth edges, with inner structure exposed. It is assumed to be an ornament.
A large amount of fish bones was excavated from the Shih-san-hang Site; indicating that fish were one of the main food sources during prehistory. Many of the fish bones were modified into tools or ornaments; this showcases how the Shih-san-hang people had the knowledge and techniques to utilize marine resources creatively.