History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c10.s1.t5.5

v1.c10.s1.t5.5

The basic factor which controls the size and shape of flake is known as mass manipulation or the manner in which the delivered force on a core travels. It has been explained by the prehistorians that the force which is applied on the surface of a stone, traverses through the weaker zones and avoids the regions with accumulated mass. In other words the depressions on the core forms the weaker areas through which force spreads easily and is effective, while the raised or thicker parts of the lump are the obstructions which is avoided by the force. In this mechanism by chipping the surface of lump of stone various kinds of weaker- zones and masses could be artificially created on the core, which could predetermine the form and size of the flake. Prehistoric man had understood this by experience, and could utilize this process to its advantage. Experiments conducted by prehistorians (Bordes, 1961; Bordes & Crabtree, 1969) has helped in replicating and, thus, understanding various flake/blade detaching mechanism of the prehistoric times.