VROEG-NEOLITHISCHE VOTIEFGAVEN? EDELHERTGEWEIEN UIT DRENTHE EN GRONINGEN

Samenvatting

This article deals with the age-determina­tion of 20 red-deer antlers which were found in wet areas mainly situated in the province of Drenthe. This study was promp­ted by the discovery of two complete antlers and a pot of the Neolithic Swifterbant cul­ture in the river 'Voorste Diep' near Bronne­ger (Dr.). Of the 19 antlers of which the age could be estimated, no fewer than 13 were be­tween 14 and 20 years old and of a sub­stantial size. In 14 cases parts of the cra­nium, mostly the pedicles, were present. This means that these antlers had not been shed. Post-cranial parts of the skeletons are absent. Presumably these finds repre­sent human activity of a ritual character.