Catch

Abstract

Spent bullets from Kotha Kas, Pabbi Hills, Pakistan, collected by Linda Hurcombe and Robin Dennell; nettle (Urtica dioica) fibres from University of Exeter campus. During fieldwork collecting fossils from eroding slopes with geological deposits dating from one to two million years old, every day presented discoveries and risks. Eventually the catch was that there were too many bullets to allow the fieldwork to continue. We separately picked up bullets from the area and have kept them as a reminder of stunning fieldwork but with a modern catch. The bullets are suspended by and within nettles, prepared with flint tools using methods suggested by Linda’s current research on Neolithic tools. Nettle fibres can be used for cordage and cloth but the fibres are strong when wet and also make excellent nets and fishing lines.