Lithic fracture
Lithic fracture, also known as lithic reduction, refers to processes that a stone undergoes when it is being extracted of utilized by people. This process can also be viewed as stone knapping, and this is the act of taking a stone and using an implement to alter it. Lithic reduction is the oldest and most widely used method of stone alteration in the world. It has been used since the Paleolithic era in order to create tools and implements, as well as to provide materials for the construction of shelters and weapons.
The oldest example of lithic fracture is the use of bone tools to shape and core flint. By striking the flint at different angles, different tools could be created and the flint could be fashioned into the desired shape. This type of lithic reduction was done by Palaeolithic people for hundreds of thousands of years and such tools were used in daily life for a variety of tasks.
During the Neolithic period, new techniques for lithic fracture began to emerge. One of the most distinctive of these techniques is known as ‘leaving a blade’. This technique involved striking the flint at a low angle angle, then leaving the flint with a blade-like edge. This blade could then be used to cut wood, which was a valuable skill during this period.
In addition to using flint, Neolithic people also began to use other rocks to create tools, specifically basalt and chert. Basalt was preferred for its strength while chert was preferred for its malleability. This enabled the people of this period to make better stone tools, weapons and structures.
With the discovery of copper, and later bronze and iron, the need for lithic reduction decreased; however, it was still used in certain circumstances. For example, flint knapping was used to create highly specialized arrowheads for hunting and weapons for warfare.
Despite its decline in use, lithic fracture is still widely used today by Native Americans and other people around the world. This skill is passed down from generation to generation and is used to create tools, decorations, and even jewellery.
In conclusion, lithic fracture is an ancient and not-so-forgotten art that has been used by people for thousands of years. It is an incredibly useful skill, allowing people of all eras to make tools, weapons, jewellery and decorations. Additionally, it is a skill that is still used today, proving that it is still relevant in a technological world.
