In anthropology and archaeology, a conchoidal flake refers to a fragment of stone removed from a larger core during lithic reduction, characterized by a distinctive curved, shell-like fracture pattern. This is central to the study of stone tool technology.
🌍 Definition
- Conchoidal Flake: A piece of stone detached from a core by percussion or pressure, showing a curved fracture surface resembling the interior of a seashell.
- Origin of Term: From Latin concha (“shell”), describing the ripple-like fracture pattern.
🔑 Characteristics
- Bulb of Percussion: A swelling at the point of impact where force was applied.
- Ripple Marks: Concentric rings radiating from the impact point.
- Curved Profile: The flake surface curves inward, diagnostic of conchoidal fracture.
- Material: Common in fine-grained, brittle stones like obsidian, flint, chert, and quartzite.
- Edges: Often sharp, making flakes useful as cutting or scraping tools.
📚 Anthropological Significance
- Lithic Technology: Conchoidal flakes are evidence of deliberate tool-making, showing human control over fracture mechanics.
- Cultural Reconstruction: Flake patterns help archaeologists identify reduction techniques (hard hammer, soft hammer, pressure flaking).
- Chronology: Different flake styles correspond to technological traditions (e.g., Clovis vs. Mousterian).
- Functional Use: Flakes themselves could be used as expedient tools, or retouched into formal implements.
- Skill Indicator: The quality of flakes reflects knapper expertise and cultural knowledge transmission.
In short: A conchoidal flake is a stone fragment produced by controlled fracture, marked by curved, shell-like patterns, and central to understanding prehistoric tool-making.
