Microwear analysis on Pinctada margaritifera tattooing combs from Central East Polynesia
Year: 2026
Type: article
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.
Source: Journal of Pacific Archaeology
Authors: Jemma McGloin, Eric Conte, Guillaume Molle
Language: English
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225224089