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Early stage blunting causes rapid reductions in stone tool performance

Key, Alastair, Fisch, Michael, Eren, Metin I. (2018) Early stage blunting causes rapid reductions in stone tool performance. Journal of Archaeological Science, 91 . pp. 1-11. ISSN 0305-4403. (doi:10.1016/j.jas.2018.01.003) (KAR id:65824)

Abstract

Palaeolithic stone technologies have never been investigated in terms of how sharpness influences their ability to cut. In turn, there is little understanding of how quickly stone cutting edges blunt, how past populations responded to any consequent changes in performance, or how these factors influenced the Palaeolithic archaeological record. Presented here is experimental data quantitatively detailing how variation in edge sharpness influences stone tool cutting performance. Significant increases in force (N) and material displacement (mm) requirements occur rapidly within early stages of blunting, with a single abrasive cutting stroke causing, on average, a 38% increase in the force needed to initiate a cut. In energetic terms, this equates to a 70% increase in work (J). Subsequent to early stages of blunting we identify a substantial drop in the impact of additional edge abrasion. We also demonstrate how edge (included) angle significantly influences cutting force and energy requirements and how it co-varies with sharpness. Amongst other conclusions, we suggest that rapid reductions in performance due to blunting may account for the abundance of lithic artefacts at some archaeological sites, the speed that resharpening behaviours altered tool forms, and the lack of microscopic wear traces on many lithic implements.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jas.2018.01.003
Uncontrolled keywords: cutting, fracture mechanics, Palaeolithic, sharpness, lithic artefact, edge angle
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Funders: Organisations -1 not found.
Depositing User: Alastair Key
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2018 19:50 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 06:30 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/65824 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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