Unifacial Flake Tool question....

[mootsman]

Like most of you I've picked up hundreds of flake tools over the years. I found this one the other day when we stopped for a break kayaking. This one is typical in that it is unifacial and shows evidence of pressure flaking along the edge.

What is a bit unusual is that it has what appears to have been an intentional thinning flake removed from the "bulb of percussion." Wonder if this was to facilitate hafting...assuming these little tools were hafted. And if so, why haven't I seen it before? You all run across this?
Thanks.

[drdave514]

It's a rebound wave(there's a name for it and Uniface told me) that occurred when the original strike was made. The pieces pops right off.
edit: Eraillure scar, is the name.

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/denbow/labs/lithic2.htm

http://epress.anu.edu.au/terra_austr...html/ch03.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithic_flake

[ghost recon]

Yep, unintentional, most likely occurred when that flake was struck off a core. I've got alot of flake tools / uniface knives and endscrapers with that feature.

[Cluton]

Flake type tools have been found and are documented in the old Turner and Hester book! The example was from the Pecos region, and was a flake tool hafted on a wooden or bone handle! I can see thinning strikes making that tool a very usable hafted scraper or knife! Nice material too Moots! You do find candy! I see nice edgework too! Why not?? I see what Doc is saying too, could be a failed attempt or bad strike! I didn't believe that a flake would be hafted and the time made to make such a tool, but it is documented! Cool piece!

[mootsman]

Thanks guys for the info and links. I clearly need to look more closely at my flake tool collection!

[uniface]

Looks like a blade. I can't tell though from the picture of (only half of) the top of it.

(?)