Question

Which tool making technique was once believed to be no older than 20,000 years until recent discoveries at Blombos cave, South Africa that date this technique at 75,000 years ago?
(A) Direct percussion

(B) Indirect percussion

(C) Percussion flaking

(D) Pressure flaking

(E) Indirect lithic crushing

Answer 1

Answer: D. Pressure flaking

Explanation: Pressure flaking is the method of applying pressure by means of a pointed wood or bone near the edge of a flake or blade, to detach small flakes from both sides. This provides a greater means of controlling the direction and quantity of the applied force thereby facilitating the early production of sharper and finely detailed tools.

The archaeological discovery in 2010 in Blombos Cave, South Africa, places the use of pressure flaking by early humans to make stone tools back to 73,000 BCE, which is 55,000 years earlier than previously accepted. The previously accepted date of around 20,000 years ago was based upon the evidence previously available which was derived from findings of the Upper Paleolithic Solutrean culture in France and Spain.