500,000 year old stone tool vs. weapon mystery

fearn · 15th March 2012, 02:34 PM

I think that's like asking what a stick was used for. They were used for all sorts of things. If you believe McDougall's Born to Run, our ancestors hunted by exhausting their prey through marathon runs, so they probably carried as little as they could get away with. A heavy toolkit of specialized stones is less than useful if you've got a ten mile run before dinner. A generalized cutting edge that you can use to cut down sapling spears, digging sticks, or use as a weapon, that's something that's more useful.

As for heat treatment, given the age of the stones, it's highly likely they went through at least one forest fire, which would provide a heat treatment.

spiral · 16th March 2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearn

I think that's like asking what a stick was used for. They were used for all sorts of things. If you believe McDougall's Born to Run, our ancestors hunted by exhausting their prey through marathon runs, so they probably carried as little as they could get away with. A heavy toolkit of specialized stones is less than useful if you've got a ten mile run before dinner. A generalized cutting edge that you can use to cut down sapling spears, digging sticks, or use as a weapon, that's something that's more useful.

As for heat treatment, given the age of the stones, it's highly likely they went through at least one forest fire, which would provide a heat treatment.

Very true statements I think.

Research in the south west Uk on "fired flints" suggesets "heat treated flints" was higher than average UK wild fire tempretures. But also not done pre. working. More discareded in deliberate fire pit enviroments.

I realise fireing was used pre, working in some non Uk cultures though. {north Africa etc.}

Spiral

katana · 16th March 2012, 01:13 AM

Hi Josh

,
IMHO not a throwing weapon, as you said all edges are sharp, not conducive to be held and thrown by hand, a large sling shot would be cut to pieces in a very short time too. Ovoid, round and spherical missiles tended to be the norm, more aerodymanic etc.

I have a suggestion perhaps these were grave or votive offerings. Stone age man had sophisticated beliefs in the after-life. Perhaps, the sharp edge all away round insures that 'mortal' man would not be able to use it ....but the spirit ancestor could. If this type of axe head was bound to a shaft , the edge would cut the bindings and if used as a hand axe, the palm and fingers would be lacerated. Perhaps suggesting it's use could only be by an 'unworldly' being.

All the best
David

15th March 2012, 02:34 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I think that's like asking what a stick was used for. They were used for all sorts of things. If you believe McDougall's Born to Run, our ancestors hunted by exhausting their prey through marathon runs, so they probably carried as little as they could get away with. A heavy toolkit of specialized stones is less than useful if you've got a ten mile run before dinner. A generalized cutting edge that you can use to cut down sapling spears, digging sticks, or use as a weapon, that's something that's more useful. As for heat treatment, given the age of the stones, it's highly likely they went through at least one forest fire, which would provide a heat treatment.

16th March 2012, 01:13 AM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Josh , IMHO not a throwing weapon, as you said all edges are sharp, not conducive to be held and thrown by hand, a large sling shot would be cut to pieces in a very short time too. Ovoid, round and spherical missiles tended to be the norm, more aerodymanic etc. I have a suggestion perhaps these were grave or votive offerings. Stone age man had sophisticated beliefs in the after-life. Perhaps, the sharp edge all away round insures that 'mortal' man would not be able to use it ....but the spirit ancestor could. If this type of axe head was bound to a shaft , the edge would cut the bindings and if used as a hand axe, the palm and fingers would be lacerated. Perhaps suggesting it's use could only be by an 'unworldly' being. All the best David