Write a short note on describe various direct percussion tool making techniques with suitable diagrams.
Write a short note on describe various direct percussion tool making techniques with suitable diagrams.
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Direct percussion is a technique used in the production of stone tools where force is directly applied to a core or blank to remove flakes and shape the desired tool. Several direct percussion tool-making techniques were employed by prehistoric peoples to produce various types of stone tools. Here are some of the main techniques along with suitable diagrams:
Hard hammer percussion involves striking a stone core or blank with a harder hammerstone to detach flakes. The force of the blow causes a fracture along the edge of the core, resulting in the removal of a flake. This technique is relatively straightforward and can produce large flakes suitable for the initial shaping of tools.
Soft hammer percussion involves using a softer material, such as antler or bone, as the striking tool instead of a hard hammerstone. This technique allows for greater control over the force and direction of the blow, resulting in more precise flake removal and shaping of the tool.
Bipolar percussion involves placing a stone core on an anvil or hard surface and striking it with a hammerstone or billet from above. The force of the blow causes the core to fracture, producing a flake. This technique is particularly useful for extracting flakes from cores with irregular shapes or difficult angles.
Pressure flaking involves applying pressure to the edge of a stone tool or flake with a pointed tool, such as an antler tine or bone point, to remove small, controlled flakes and shape the tool's edge. This technique is often used for refining the edges of tools and creating fine retouching.
These direct percussion tool-making techniques were essential skills mastered by prehistoric peoples to produce a wide range of stone tools for hunting, butchering, woodworking, and other tasks. Through experimentation and experience, ancient artisans developed efficient methods for shaping stone into functional tools that were vital for their survival and adaptation to diverse environments.