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Abstract

This paper explores the technological production and symbolic significance of red deer (Cervus elaphus) vestigial canine pendants during the Upper Paleolithic. While these ornaments are widespread across Eurasia, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of assemblages from the Southern Caucasus (Dzudzuana and Satsurblia caves) with other Eurasian assemblages. Using the chaîne opératoire approach, this research identifies pendant manufacturing and use wear signatures shared between the Caucasian and Levantine sites: dominance of scraping method as preparation of the root surface, bifacial gouging for perforation, and circular perforation shape, as well as polish from wear, and the evidence of ochre.

To test whether this similarity resulted from shared cultural traditions (H1) or independent technological invention (H0), the core sample is compared against a dataset of European sites. The results demonstrate that European assemblages typically rely on scraping as surface preparation as well, but use different technical solutions, such as biconical drilling and rotation, and lack the consistent use of ochre found in the Caucasus and Levant.

Furthermore, the presence of bone skeuomorphs (imitations) at Dzudzuana cave suggests that the symbolic value of the red deer canine was high enough to warrant the production of replicas when biological raw materials were scarce. This study concludes that the Southern Caucasus and the Levant likely functioned as a stable social network at the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum, where specific technological choices potentially served as costly signals of shared identity and social connectivity within a trans-regional information network.