BLADE

This is a particularly interesting example of a tertiary lithic tool, or interior flake, lacking as it does any sign of the cortex. The material is opaque mottled pale cream and has a fine microcrystalline structure with apparent mineral inclusions; the surface has the waxy lustre of chalcedony. The ventral surface exhibits a delaminated or, exfoliation area which may be the result of a fault within the structure of the material. It has a longitudinal length of approximately 2.5 times its width and may thus be considered a ‘blade’. Due to the relative 'bluntness' of the back section, the object may also be reasonably be classified as a ‘Backed Blade’. At the proximal end, there is a weak bulb of percussion with percussion scars and some limited evidence of rippling running down the ventral surface to the stepped termination, at the distal end (it may be that the distal end was pointed but has been lost sometime in the past). The cutting edge, which is slightly concave in profile, shows evidence of conchoidal and snap fractures to both dorsal and ventral surfaces, perhaps due to retouch or use. There is macro edge wear to the length of the blade. The dorsal surface has three parallel-collateral flaking surfaces with associated arrises, or ridges, running down the length of the tool. Of greater interest is the notch on the upper edge of the blade at the distal end. This ‘notch’ appears to have been deliberately worked, as evidenced by the concoidal fractures on the dorsal side. This notch (if not an attachment feature, which seems improbable) may serve two purposes; it fits very well into the right hand as an added grip to a reverse cutting action for the blade, it would also make a very good scraper for a thin round section wood, the measured diameter of the circle is approximately 13mm. Looking at the edge to the top of the blade, it is evident that a section has been lost due to snap fractures. That edge which remains, has an edge angle that would provide a good scraping tool. One final thought, if the distal end was terminated in a point, it may have served as a graver. Thus we may have the Neolithic equivalent of the Swiss Army Knife in one tool!