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Frequently asked questions

(FAQs)

Q.1. What is an artifact?

Ans : It is an object made deliberately by man for certain uses with a

technique to have a regular set pattern. Generally, men madestone tools have alternate flaking scars.

Q.2. What are the differences between the core tool and flake tool?

Ans : The core tool is made out of the core of the lump of stone by

flaking in a regular pattern as in the case of the chopper-

chopping tools and peariform type of handaxe. While the tool

made from a piece of stone struck off a core deliberately is called

flake tool. The best representative flake tools are levallois flake,side scraper, etc.

Q.3. What is the bulb of percussion?

Ans : The bulged or protuberant cone present on the main flake surface

near the striking platform is called bulb of percussion. The size

and nature of the bulb of percussion varies depending on the

rock type and the force delivered to strike it off the core.

Q.4. Compare the nature of flake scars produced by the direct stone

hammer and cylinder hammer technique?

Ans: The direct stone hammer technique is a free flaking technique

delivering a great force resulting in the removal of large flakes

with prominent bulb of percussion and that produced large and

deep flake scars on the core. In case of the cylinder hammer

technique, the contact area of the force delivered from the edgeof the hammer is large and could produce flat and slender flakes.

Q.5. What is the difference between the primary and secondaryflaking?

Ans : The technique used in flaking for obtaining regular shape of the

stone tool is called primary flaking. In the secondary flaking the

techniques employed are mainly for sharpening the working

edge and blunting the handholding place or back or the butt ofthe tool.

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Q.6. What is the composite tool?

Ans : Microliths are being very small in size, it cannot be used

effectively without hafting or fixing one or more microliths to a

handle. Thus the tool made by composing several micro bladesinto a handle, like the sickle blade, is called composite tool.

Q.7. What is a blade?

Ans: A parallel-sided flake with at least a mid-ridge on the dorsal

surface, generally detached from a fluted core, is called a blade.

Q.8. Is there any difference in the technique of making unifacial andbifacial core tool?

Ans : There is no difference; the same technique can be used in

making both the types of core tools. The only difference is in theflaking either unidirectional in the case of the unifacial chopper

or bidirectional in making the bifacial chopping and handaxe

core tools.

Q.9. What is typology?

Ans : Typology is the method the archaeologist uses to classify the

artifacts in a scheme to show the gradual development or

degeneration through time.

Q.10. In a tool assemblage if borer and side scraper are found together,

what interpretation on the human activities could be made?

Ans : The probable use of the side scraper was to scrape the skin of theanimal, while borer was to make hole for fastening. Hence, there

is the probability of making skin cloth by the prehistoric man.

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