Pressure Flakers

[meetmaker]

200/15/5 2011 Three Pressure Flakers
In the assemblage from site 200/15/5 that includes anvils, hammerstones, cores and flakes, tools used as pressure flakers would be a logical progression. Tools of biodegradable bone and antler are well known for their utility in removing small flakes.
Selected are three tools of different hardstones. They share the common traits of being able to be held firmly while applying pressure to a small area. The pressure tips have all been worked in converging planes to provide a supported strong tip. The stones have been worked to provide a clear view of the pressure tip while in use.
Tools that can be called pressure flakers have been scattered about the site, primarily in the geographic feature I call the 15 acre part. They share being found on high areas near a prehistoric watercourse. It is that that makes me wonder if these were used by individuals for resharpening, away from the fabrication area.
The artifacts are pictured on a one centimeter grid. In the first they are staged as if held in the right hand, pressure points at 7:00 0'clock. In the next they are flipped with the points at 5:00 O'clock.

[meetmaker]

200/15/5 2011 Pebble chert. Worked on all sides by chipping and grinding this artifact provides a firm purchase and a tip were energy can be concentrated.
The first photo shows the highly polished indent of a thumb purchase. The second shows the ground, almost polished plane supporting the tip. The third photo shows another plane chipped away, to allow the operator to see the tip in use. The next shows the tool in hand. The evenly ground cortex provides texture for the grip. The last photo is another view of the ground plane to show use wear at the tip.

[meetmaker]

200/15/5 2011 Pressure Flaker of a light wheat colored hardstone. Interesting in design, three smaller planes diminish, curve, and converge at the tip of a fourth larger, flat, triangular plane. The first two pics are attempts to show the converging planes. The third photo is the large triangular plane and its tip. The fourth photograph is to show a small fracture at the top of the tip. This almost a chip would have broken off eventually. Maybe that is why this tool was discarded. The last picture is the tool in hand.

[meetmaker]

200/15/5 2011 Quartz, a locally common bit of fractured crystal. In this one example, instead of a smokey grey, this has a pleasant blue/purple hue in good light. Viewed from the top the importance of surface planes supporting the tip is illustrated by the precision of this tool. The second through fourth pictures are attempts to show the ground planes of this tool. The last photo is the tool in hand.

[jamiebenedickt]

Makes me wonder the countless times I have probably come across that stuff and just let it go.

[eddies]

very well put. thanks for the look i will keep my eye out.

[eddies]

Originally Posted by meetmaker

200/15/5 2011 Quartz, a locally common bit of fractured crystal. In this one example, instead of a smokey grey, this has a pleasant blue/purple hue in good light. Viewed from the top the importance of surface planes supporting the tip is illustrated by the precision of this tool. The second through fourth pictures are attempts to show the ground planes of this tool. The last photo is the tool in hand.

have you ever tryed to use them on flint???????????/

[Marshall Ellis]

From a knappers point of view a tool used for pressure flaking needs to be softer than the flint in order to get a bite and cause a flake.
Rock on flint aint gonna work for pressure flaking. Try those on some flint and you will have a lot of cut knuckels by the time you figure out that it aint gonna work.

[meetmaker]

Recognizing stone use from only the form can be problematic. The three I have displayed are just a few of over a dozen tools designed to put concentrated force on a small area. Pressure flaking is to my modern viewpoint the most logical use. My skill at knapping is much like that of H. erectus. I was able to perform something like edge retouch. Held against my thigh for a cushion I repeatedly pushed down on an edge, it came out kinda serrated. Little chips.

[drdave514]

I'd be interested in seeing examples from established literature. I'm not ready to discount your assertions as total lunacy, as most of the non replying readers are, but you're monumental assertions are going to require at least some moderate amount evidence, beyond your own observations.

Archaelogical examples of stone pressure flakers that resemble what you have there would ROCK! Pun intended.