Paleo flaking - random thoughts...

[Mojave]

Here is a paleo obsidian flake showing extreme conhcoidal rippling. This and other examples showing amazing striations support my theory that initial reduction (at least) was performed with a great deal of force, likely stone-on-stone percussion. Obsidian is unique in that it readily shows the compression within the stone at locations where the compression was unable to continue without separation (breakage). I am fairly sure I could not break obsidian like this without a sledge hammer, and then certainly not controlled.
just a thought though....

[silver lake]

Very interesting, and I'll be looking at the flakes more carefully now.

[neralich]

Great observation, Mojave...

The evidence supports your theory well....
(then again,, I've never tested such theories or put much thought in it)

Are those type of flakes a common occurence on such sites?

I will be examining my flakes in a whole new light...paleo or otherwise....

Thanks for your insight/theory,, Jason

[Mojave]

Originally Posted by neralich

Are those type of flakes a common occurence on such sites?

Yeah in the paleo sites it dominates. I think the term "rippling" is not the best term, it is really a form of repeated stress fracture along the face due the elasticity/compression of the stone. I think (suspect) this is fairly unique to obsidian due to its properties.
The whole point to me is they were likely not using any of the popular indirect or pressure flaking. I don't think they were using billets or hammer stones like later indians. To me it looks like they were beating rocks against rocks, just in a very methodical and intentional way.

[neralich]

Hey Mojave,
These aren't paleo flakes but check this out. Been taking a closer look at a couple broke points I have (not paleo) that have impact fractures on them.

Thought it to be interesting because One example(first pic) has impact caused flute that I'm guessing did not hit nearly as hard upon impact as the last 3 pics that look like the impact would have been much more severe. (Notice rippling [stress] in impact flutes)... The first example is smooth with no rippling...

I know that the lithic properties are much more different than as is with obsidian,,
but, I am curious what your thoughts may be.....(these be Burlington flint)

Or, rather,, Am I learning anything here, lol ???

Jason

[Cannonman17]

I've noticed ripples like that while knapping obsidian, and it was when using a hammerstone, but I don't think it takes a particularly high degree of force to achieve it. I believe it has more to do with the material than the techniques used to reduce it.

[neralich]

Hmm, yeah, right on...
I knap as well, just haven't done it lately or thought about certain forces and the flake results caused from them...

Just completed 5 new boppers, so I will be experimenting soon...
not just with the boppers, but other stones/material as well.

Thanks for your insights,

Jason

[Mojave]

I guess my random thoughts and thinking out loud were a bit premature. I am just starting to understand the physical properties and differences between obsidian and other stones to get clues on how stuff was made. I am not a knapper so I am obviously handicapped.
As I was looking through other stuff I found this artifact from Texas. I had originally thought that the type of compression in obsidian wouldn't be seen in flint due to different levels of elasticity. I'm not used to looking at stuff this way so I will undoubtedly make many wrong conclusions.
What I have observed in the west is that striations in obsidian were more prevalent with coarser percussion which is much more typical in paleo stuff.
I'm still don't think the "rippliing" posted by others in this thread is the same thing as what I am talking about. I guess my initial set of pics was misleading. I think it is a different physical thing happening there.
This Edwards Palteau Flint cortex blade is the best example of hard-hammer percussion striation that I have seen on a non-obsidian artifact.
Any insights from you guys is appreciated...

[jackcrafty]

Sometimes I see those types of striations when I'm knapping. They are very rare for me, though. I see them with raw (or lightly heated) stone while using very forcefull indirect percussion.

[knife river]

Mojave, are you referring to the (mostly) horizontal lines in pic 2 of the Edwards flake knife?

As for the obsidian striations, are you referring to the lines on the flake in pics 1 and 2?