Lithic Cores

The pictures below display a small sample of upper paleolithic blade cores from a variety of material.  Often referred to as Mousterian cores, this technology greatly enhanced the manufacture of stone tools.

Blades and flakes were struck from the flat or top of the core and driven down along the ridges in a circular direction that finally results in a conical or disk shape.  This method produced more flakes and blades and greatly increased the cutting edge per pound of stone.  The result was a variety of blanks for a variety of tools.

I use this method often to produce the flakes and blades I need for making replica tools.  Some of my left over cores are displayed next to the originals.  This is a very efficient method of getting the most usable cutting edge from a piece of stone.  The left over or spent cores were usually used as humpback scrapers or planes.

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 Originals

Several original cores from a variety of material

Large Rhyolite core

Agate and Jasper cores

Small Jasper Cores

Agate and Jasper cores

Red core appears to have been heat treated before flake removals

Agate and Jasper cores