Of all the history of mankind, nine tenths of it is written in stone. During the Neolithic period, flint tools were produced by craftsmen called flintknappers. They split flints into rough shapes and then knocked pieces off to form the shape of a tool. Able to make tools from flint cobbles, our fore-bearers gained an advantage over other predators. We not only rose to dominate our environment, but we went on to alter it, for the production and use of stone tools followed our progress well into the age of agriculture. Even today, in the remote highlands of New Guinea, there are humans who still practice this ancient craft.

Flint working is a universal part of our heritage. It is the one thing that all races of mankind, the world over, have in common. If you could trace your ancestors back far enough, you would certainly find flintknappers among them.

How it is done?
The surface of a stone tool will exhibit a wavy appearance. These scars are a frozen record of shock waves generated by a series of blows dealt to the edge. Geologists tell us that flint has a "concoidal fracture". This is best illustrated when a BB strikes plate glass. A cone is removed opposite the point of impact. When striking the edge of a piece of flint, only a portion of that cone is removed. By controlling the angle, placement and weight of the blows it is possible to fracture this material in a predictable manner. In making his implements, prehistoric man used one or a combination of three techniques which are known as percussion flaking, indirect percussion, and pressure flaking.
Percussion flaking: Flakes are driven off the edge with a hammer stone or deer antler.
Pressure flaking: Flakes are pried off with a deer antler tine or copper pointed tool.
Indirect percussion: Flakes are removed by striking a punch placed on the edge.

Knapping tools used.

Hammerstones were the first and simplest flint knapping tools. They were just water worn pebbles that fit the hand well, used to break up nodules and blocks of flint into workable spalls, and to rough out blanks. Hammer stones are made of granite, quartzite or greenstone.

Billet tools are used to thin, shape and sharpen the flint tool. The ideal billet is made from the trunk of a moose antler. However, smaller antlers, such as those from the white tailed deer, can also be used.

Pressure flaker was made from the upper tine portion of the antler rack. Many modern knappers use copper pointed tools.

Punches used for indirect percussion can be made from antler, or antler tipped with copper. Moose antler again was a favorite, because it was very hard and tough.

Abraders are made from quartzite or sandstone.. These are one of the more important tools, necessary for grinding the edge to make striking platforms. Also good for notching.

Flint knapping is a reduction process because flakes of stone are broken off the of the original piece of stone. Knappers, both ancient and modern, generally begin knapping a piece of stone with direct percussion. Direct percussion is accomplished by directly striking the stone which is to be made into a projectile point, etc., with a tool, such as a hammerstone or antler billet to remove large flakes. The purpose of direct percussion is to thin the stone to the required thickness. Generally, the next step is pressure flaking. Pressure flaking is achieved by placing a pointed tool, such as an antler tine or copper-tipped pressure flaker, on the edge of the stone, and applying an inward pressure to the tool. This pressure will remove a small, thin flake from the stone. Pressure flaking shapes and refines the projectile point. Finishing a point can include notching, stemming, fluting, etc.

( Photos from cool site http://www.missouritrading.com )

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