For us newbies, recognizing a utilized flake or a not-so-obvious tool can be difficult -- because after all, they're all broken rocks! Can you post some photos of edge wear on some tools and flakes? How can I spot a flake that may have been used as a scraper or some other tool? I've got some that I believe show edge wear, but is are they maybe just chipped? Can you post some photos? Thanks!
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Here is a nice little Connecticut scraper. To give an idea of size take a look at the second picture That is my pinky finger nail next to the small flake turned multi purpose too. The beveled edge is obviously a scraper. The small protrusion towrd my nail was utilized as a graver spur.TN formerly CT Visit our store http://stores.arrowheads.com/store.p...m-Trading-Post
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This is a picture of the Proximal edge you can see the wear pretty good in these photos. Notice the curve in the left of this picture. It was also used as a spoke shave at one time. This one single tiny artifact tells us so much. It may not look like much but it is one of my favorite all time finds.TN formerly CT Visit our store http://stores.arrowheads.com/store.p...m-Trading-Post
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Good question!
Here is a struck spall they put an edge on
A lot of tools are from "uniface" pieces. They loved putting a beveled edge on them then utilized as a scrapers or knives that could be resharpened.
This is a scraper from Mr. Ron Kelley that shows "chatter" from being used on a hard material. Next to it is a thumb scraper that does not show much use wear.
Here is a flake I found just a couple weeks ago, it really shows tiny pressure flaking making it a tool. This is not to say they didn't use flakes, they do have a very nice sharp edge. Just no modification was made after it had been struck off. SEVERAL flakes are created making one biface.
Last edited by OBION; 03-29-2016, 09:49 AM.
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Here are a few flake tools (both found in the Schoharie Valley, NY and made from Onondaga Chert)... first is a tiny flake that was modified with an awl-like point. While not a great example of edge 'wear', it shows how a flake can be used for a specialized purpose and shows a definite tool form.
Next is a highly modified scraper/blade made from a flake... the rounded scraper end in the first photo shows some wear from use. I'm sure there are indications of use on the other edges if magnification is used, but I can't photograph that very well.
Note the 'crushed' looking flakes on the scraper edge... those step fractures are likely due to edge wear from use:
Same step fractures on the bottom edge in photo above and below also show likely edge wear from use:
View from the top:
This is the underside of the tool:
Last edited by Driftwood; 03-29-2016, 09:17 AM.
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This Levana point is interesting. Not your typical looking wear!TN formerly CT Visit our store http://stores.arrowheads.com/store.p...m-Trading-Post
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Thanks for all of the great information! I still can't spot a flake that wasn't worked but still utilized, however, with the info I learned here, I took a loupe and studied the edges of all of my "junk" flakes and I discovered a number that do appear to have some microflaking... From what I gather a couple of knife/scrapers and a couple spokeshaves. I'll post the photos if I can get some good ones.
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Perhaps the best way to see the kind of thing you are looking for would be to learn to knap flint... there are books, videos and articles galore on the subject. You don't need to become a knapping master, but just enough to bust off some large flakes and maybe add a few smaller touch-up flakes. Study the flakes and maybe use them for cutting/scraping different materials then study them again... you will get a much better idea of what you are looking at after that.
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Bah, I can't get any good photos... almost pointless for me to post this photo, but here are three. I believe the two on the right are spokeshaves, looking a bit unimpressive from the angle I took the picture, but I can see individual flakes, tiny flakes, taken off on the top edges. The other just a scraper.
Last edited by gregszybala; 03-30-2016, 06:51 PM.
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