Considerations in Folsom Fluting and Evaluation of Hand Held Indirect Percussion
Phil R. Geib, Stanley A. Ahler · 2021
This chapter discusses the replication process and evaluates the potential of our revised technique. The sandstone hammer percussion tool used also seemed too hard, often creating moderate to pronounced ripples on the flute scars, especially in obsidian and the finest textured cherts or those that were heat treated. Folsom hunters created an impressively high mark of achievement in stone tool production, one that modern replicators are still struggling to hurdle. A fluting method should be capable of removing channel flakes at least 6 cm long and preferably longer, and it must be able to flute preforms of raw chert or flint, i.e. no heat treatment. Simplicity in fluting technique equates to simplicity of tools—little more than what is needed for general flintknapping. A simple tool kit better accords with the probable highly mobile lifestyle of Folsom hunters. The anvil stone and antler baton are used in general flintknapping work and would be in the tool kit regardless.