Possible Copper Pressure Flakers in the Archaic Era in Minnesota

[JackCrafty]

Very good question ...let's  ask JackCrafty he wrote the definition
"Abo Flintknapping - Also: Aboriginal Material Flintknapping.  An interpretation of flintknapping performed with materials found in nature and without the aid of metals."

The term "Abo" has been used in many converstations, with different definitions, but the majority of knappers use the term as an "easy" way to exclude copper (or metals) from flintknapping techniques.  It basically puts modern knappers in two camps:  the ones who use metals and the ones who don't.  It is also generally assumed that abo knapping is more challenging and perhaps more rewarding.  The term doesn't imply that "real" knapping in the past didn't include metals.

[PeteDavis]

Just say no,no,no to carborundum.

If I see yer grinder wheel I'll throw a tantrum.

If you laugh at my wood billet yer gonna get some.

Just say no, no, no to carborundum.

PD

[Zuma]

Actually, what you all call Abo knapping should be called "experimental knapping".
Although I think some archies may claim they rule that territory.
The archaeological record is scant on knapping tool usage and really stinky
when it comes to known objects uses. Bannerstones, gorgets, birdstones etc.
There is virtually nothing known about Abo drilling. The exception may be the use of cane.
So IMO most any tool besides hammer stones is not well documented back before the
first historic records of Late Woodland knappers.
 Restricting ABO knapping to Late Woodland techniques would be kinda silly because it
would exclude 12,678 years of unknown knapping. Time where practicality
would dictate that any and every tool imaginable was used.
I may choose a gar scale to notch with but a native knapper in Maine would not easily have access to one.
Just like a native knapper in Florida would be hard pressed to get copper.
So should modern ABO knappers be restricted to the tool material of their area?
Or should they be restricted to tools that are only documented by archaeologist in their area?
Or should they perhaps find a more sutible name for their hobby where anything goes but metal.
 At least copper boppers can retain their handle--Knapper
Humm not ABO knapper--- but Non-Metal Knapper 
Zuma
Sure Pete, just don't let us see you guys sharpen your tools with metal
and electric grinders.
It's chert and greenstone sharpening tools from now on.

[PeteDavis]

Don't Get Yer Feathers in a Twist

'Bout the Platforms that You Missed

Just Grind Ahead

But Please Use Schist

[le0n]

BOA (Bone Or Antler)

[Outbackbob48]

John, I sure as heck don't feel left out. I was just asking a question and I personally don't give a darn what kind of tools you use. Most of us are just a bunch of replicators, trying to make our points look like someones that came way before us. I like being well rounded , Heck I have even tried some of Steve's tools , you know the dogwood bowling pins that ruin your hearing after hitting a couple home runs. Think i'll go out in the garage and just knap Bob

[Zuma]

It is good to see the participation. No matter what.
 I think we learn a lot by splitting hairs.
It's kinda like trying to get a blade paper thin.
I know I always come away with more than I
came with, during these friendly discussions.
Zuma

[Outbackbob48]

Patrick, thanks for your quick reply and answer, Now I understand. thanks Bob

[JEB]

Few years ago I attended the gold and mineral show in El Paso, Texas.  Basically it was a metal detecting show.  I spoke with one of the vendors who was from Wisconsin. In our conversation he told me that he has detected around 200 copper artifacts.  Not sure about his knowledge of what can or can't be used for flint knapping but it sure would be interesting to  look over his finds.

[PeteDavis]

Can you knap with antler?

I know that I can.

Even though I am

Industrial Man.

My DNA has strontium ninety

My auto-car is space-age proper

But I'll give you shit

If you Knap With Copper.

PD

[Hummingbird Point]

To begin with, I agree with Zuma that we know very little about how things were done pre-contact.  Trade preceded colonization by about 100 years, so in in general by the time any Europeans came along to record how things were done, they had already changed.  The only flint knapping the Jamestown colonists recorded observing was pressure flaking small arrow points, probably because by 1607 the Powhatans had had access to metal knives and hatchets for at least a few generations.  Add to that the utter upheaval caused by European diseases and subsequent wars and you have a sitution where a huge amount of long accumulated knowledge was erased in a flash.

Here's what I find interesting about copper knapping:  If you were to ask an economist he would consider modern knapping to be a free market, capitalist system.  That type of system is very good at finding the best way of doing something.  Based on that the economist would have to conclude that copper boppers and copper pressure flakers are the best way to knap, because that is what most modern knappers use, and (perhaps more importantly) that is the tool set that dominates commercial knapping.  Of course we know that the stone age knappers weren't using copper boppers, and the use of copper pressure was likely fairly restricted, so that leaves two possibilities:  One is that the overall model is correct and it is a matter of trying to match abo materials and tool designs to the economical performance given by the copper tools.  The second is that the model is wrong, and it is just a matter of two roads on opposite sides of the mountain that just happen to both lead to the top.  I think future experimental knapping needs to explore both of those possibilities.

Keith

[Zuma]

Some copper artifacts from Wisconsin and Michigan.
Featured in the Ancient American Magazine
Zuma

[PeteDavis]

My IRA has fallen flat

So I knap with a baseball bat

My copper tools I cannot see

Covered there in verdigris

Huxley said love's good as soma

But my tools cause a hematoma

If you use boppers-bop them good

I'll just smash my knees with Wood


PD

[Chippintuff]

Don't you just love it!!!! Let's get to chippin!!!!

WA

[JackCrafty]

Non-metal knapping  (NMK) sounds good.  It's self explanitory.