Flintknapping in Slow Motion, Abo Part 4

Completion of the series. This section shows hand held percussion using isolated platforms. The thin biface finally breaks with a perverse fracture resulting from the billet striking the edge section adjacent to the nipple, a classic perverse fracture.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Flintknapping
• Paleoplanet
• Clovis
• Lithics

[BlackCommentator]

What did stone age people use thin bifaces like this one for? It seems to be too fragile for a spearhead and too and too big and clumsy for a knife.

[paleomanjim]

@BlackCommentator Good question, and no one knows for sure. The Folsum culture made ultra thin knives that were probably used for skinning. More recent cultures made super thin knives like the Sweetwater biface that seem too thin to be of any use. They were likely ceremonial or perhaps they were just showing off their skill! I know I am impressed by what those old boys could do!...

[mjflinty]

looks like the perfect platform to cause a perverse fracture!

[paleomanjim]

Michael, until you explained them to me I did not even know what they were!....thanks....jim

[dakellymon]

Cool trick, making two points at once.

[greenchert]

Wow, the slo mo is great. I tend to break my bifaces in half sometimes. Any suggestions? Thank you!

BB

[LithicWoodsman]

My condolences...

Thanks for the videos.

[txrelichunter]

Bummer..Thanks for sharing!