The study of prehistoric knapped stones has been considerably modernised since the end of the last century. On the one hand, prehistorians have become more attentive to natural fractures, the mechanisms of which are better understood. On the other hand, and above all, the "technological reading", systematised by Jacques Tixier, reveals the sequences of gestures from which the knapped pieces result. This makes it possible to reconstruct the entire operating chain (chaîne opératoire) of their production and classify an important part of it according to the stages of this process, stages whose "techno-economic" classification makes it possible to document the production in the site under study. In addition, the knapping techniques have been further explored and described, allowing their more reliable identification from the archaeological remains.

Fractures and natural shapes

Nature sets various traps for prehistorians. Indeed, frost, fire, a water dynamic environment (stream, beach), or a cliff fall can cause different sorts of fractures that you must recognise. Certain shapes can also result from the action of the wind or from natural concretions. This is what Jacques Pelegrin proposes to study in the following video.

Intentional fractures

Let us continue our reading of prehistoric knapped stones by pointing out that Man used two types of fracture : the "split" fracture (specially to “open” round stones) and the conchoidal fracture, which he was able to control according to his wishes on different rocks suitable for knapping. This is what the following video lets you discover.

Recent lithic creations

Several types of knapped tools were still being produced just over a century ago. They are therefore not strictly speaking "prehistoric" but can deceive, both on their own and through their production waste. This is what Jacques Pelegrin underlines in this video.

"Technological reading", method and techniques

The prehistorian Jacques Tixier correctly distinguished between "method" and "techniques", and has systematised technological reading, which makes it possible to "read" the direction and order of knapping removals from their negatives -or “scars”. The various aspects of the refits of archaeological lithic pieces have thus been clarified. The knapped raw materials are also more finely described. Sometimes it is even possible to recognise how and what certain tools were used for, as you will understand in this video.

Identifying knapping techniques

To conclude this session, you will discover that a more systematised experimental study of knapping techniques that respect archaeological conditions (as we will see in more detail next week), has made it possible to appreciate the respective marks, and thus recognise them on the archaeological artefacts.

Bibliographical references

Inizan, M.-L., Reduron, M., Roche,  H., Tixier J. 1995. Technologie de la pierre taillée. Paris : CREP, 199 pp.  

Online ressources