Author Topic: excellent prehistoric crescent blade (Read 2072 times)

Jodocus · « **on:** October 06, 2016, 03:59:51 am »

My aunt brought me a little collection of artefacts she gathered during her trips in the Sahara. Among them was this finely made blade. I am absolutely fascinated by this, I wish (and I practise) I could make something like it.

You can see the proximal end is the one with the blunter corner. The platform is still on. The bulb is minimal. The edges are not retouched, but show differing signs of use and wear.

The thickness is very even, 3-5mm, it's 5 cm wide and 11 long.

I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding the use and making process of this.

Jodocus · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2016, 04:00:22 am »

mullet · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2016, 07:54:16 am »

That is very similar to the Waller knife style found in Florida. Basically a simple knife made from a flake. I found one that had very fine serrations along the cutting edge.

Jodocus · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:35:21 am »

Yes, it's a single flake from a core. Old world neolithic usually is. These are sharp when new. Usually, they're straight and narrower, though. I wonder if the bend was intended and controlled by the kanpper, but it looks like. Maybe with a short sideways flake taken before releasing the blade.

Might be from a sickle of sort, but then there'd be now wear on the outer edge. But I've seen some crescent blades in sickles, but they where retouched on the outer bend.

On the other hand, this would also make a very nice knife or conveniently be handeled as it is, as well.

Zuma · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2016, 08:30:22 pm »

Man, that is one slick flake.

Who ever parted that from the mothership
knew what he/she was doing.

What else was auntie doing in the desert?
She must be real cool

Zuma

Sparrow · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2016, 09:34:10 pm »

Very common in the Columbia basin , Wa. , Columbia river corridor and eastern Oregon From 2 to 4 inches long most often found wholly knapped or a simple flake the right shape and flaked enough to get the shape usually resharpened many times ' Frank

mullet · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:21:53 pm »

With all of the comments it just reinforces my opinion that all of these knives we knap were never used back in the day. Why go to that much trouble when you could just knock off a long, sharp flake.

Zuma · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2016, 11:44:40 pm »

Eddie,
I think the larger pre historical bifacial blades were
most likley daggers for self protection or spear points.
Not so much for dinner ware.

Jodo
Check out cresents of the Great Basin.
Zuma

The mysterious Great Basin crescents | Dennis Cassinelli
https://denniscassinelli.com/2014/02/05/great-basin-crescents

Jodocus · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2016, 06:26:34 am »

Those look very similar indeed. A Google search for flint sickle will turn up similar rocks as well.

I guess the large biface artefacts of the neolithic where usually showpieces. objects of status and craftsman's pride. European early bronze age daggers even seem to reflect bronze dagger design elements.
Not sure about paleolithic stuff, though.
And there's always a substancial amount of chert that comes in slabs and cant't be turned into cores.

Zuma · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2016, 11:34:18 am »

Jodo
There was fierce competition between flint tool makers
and the new Bronze age metallurgist. Some of the best
flint daggers were made at that time.
Zuma

Parnell · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2016, 01:39:23 pm »

Cool material, cool artifact!

Primitive Archer