Journal of Pacific Archaeology· 2026Q1
Microwear analysis on Pinctada margaritifera tattooing combs from Central East Polynesia
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Microwear analysis on three Pinctada margaritifera tattooing combs from Central East Polynesia reveals manufacturing techniques and use patterns, marking the first such study on Pacific pearl shell artifacts.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Microwear analysis was applied to three Pinctada margaritifera tattooing combs from Central East Polynesia.
- The study also included macroscopic analysis of an additional four combs.
- This research is the first microwear study on pearl shell artifacts specifically from the Pacific region.
- Results shed light on manufacturing techniques and the use of these combs in traditional tattooing.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Pearl shell tattooing combs form a small corpus in the material culture in Central East Polynesia, providing evidence for traditional methods of tattooing and body modification, and represent a significant form of cultural practice in ancient island communities. Three combs were analysed with microwear analysis, shedding light on manufacturing techniques and use, with an additional four combs analysed macroscopically. This is the first microwear study on pearl shell artefacts in the Pacific, and the results contribute to the wider corpus on microwear traces on pearl shell artefacts and tattooing implements, shedding new light on their chaîne opératoire.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Pacific Archaeology, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Geography, Planning and Development
Geography, Planning and DevelopmentSocial Sciences