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Photos: Russell Cave Flaker photos - FREE RESEARCH INFORMATION for flintknapper
Hummingbird Point:
What is wrong with the term "horizontal punch"? Those of us constrained to discussing and experimenting on known methods have to have some way to describe how the tool is used. As I already said, if you would like to propose another way of using the tool, go ahead, name it whatever you want and let us test it.
Here is one example of the "horizontal punch" technique being described by an author over a half a century ago:
"In the flaking of arrowheads of jasper or obsidian, the Hupa used a PEBBLE HAMMER-STONE and a species of COLD CHISEL of hard, HEAVY ANTLER. For the shaping of points the antler was lashed to a handle of wood in a manner almost identical to that of the Eskimo of Northern Alaska. In chipping arrowheads the flint was held in the palm which was protected by a pad of buckskin. The flakes were chipped off by pressing on the edge of the flint with the tool held in the right hand, the ball of the handle resting in the palm. The Apache WORKED IN A SIMILAR MANNER save that two men were employed on the task, one striking the flint with a mallet and a bone punch while the other cradled the flint in his palm. The natural elasticity of the hand enabled the chips to flake off where on a solid support the flint would have broken. Such work, exacting, skilful and requiring like genius, infinite pains, is all but lost today. One North American anthropologist noted twenty three varieties of arrowheads made in this way."
The above is a very good example of the problems associated with a research based approach to the problem. I haven't read through as many of these types of descriptions as you have, but I've been through at least a hundred and the one above is very typical. It is about as plain as mud. It comes nowhere close to providing sufficient information to test the idea. I have no idea how you get anything close to a horizontal punch technique from that description. The tools are not well described. How the tools are used is not described in detail (Holmes interpreted the Apache method as a vertical punch technique). No information is given where in the reduction process these methods fit in or the size of the stone tool being made. Given the late date of this quote, it appears to be be recycled information. The Hupa description appears to be lifted from Holmes who lifted it from Mason, who lifted it from Ray, the author of the above quote then takes that information and marries it to the Apache flaking method originally reported by Catlin, as if the two describe the same method.
I am unaware of of any clear descriptions of Native American use of anything like a horizontal punch technique. Please cite any you are aware of. You say Cushing mentions the method. Where? The indirect method he describes and illustrates in The Arrow seems to clearly be a vertical punch technique. If you see it otherwise, please explain. Without applying a vast amount of "interpretation" how do you see anything described in these old accounts that is indirect percussion other than vertical punching? If you can reinterpret and reinterpret and reinterpret the research, why can't every else?
What straightens everything out is testing. That is what allows you to quickly sort out what works and what doesn't. The reason horizontal punching makes sense is because it works. It does a better job of any other known, published, testable technique of spanning the gap between direct percussion (which may not go any further than taking a spall with a hammer stone) and pressure flaking, which are the two, known, starting and ending processes. If you have a better bridge across that gap, let's see it. I don't think you have it, and you know your method won't stand up to testing. I suspect your method, while it certainly works, is most likely overly complex, convoluted and is based on trying to get a certain kind of flake which doesn't show up on 99.999% of North American artifacts anyway, but, honestly, I would love to be PROVEN wrong on that. Another thing that makes the various, known, published, testable, horizontal punch techniques work is that they "flow" well, allowing the worker to quickly and smoothly move through the process. You know, just sort of click along just like you can with direct percussion and pressure flaking.
As to the secret mystery method of making the Ted Orcut type over sized obsidian blades. First, it's obsidian, you give it a hard look and it flakes, so does the method translate to tougher rock? More importantly the Orcut stuff is over sized for ceremonial use. His blades run over an inch thick, which is to say they are basically large, mid-stage preforms. Most knappers don't have any trouble making thick, mid-stage preforms. Figure out how the old guys where flattening out these raw cherts, rhyolites and quartzites down to the 8-12 mm range, and then we have something worth talking about.
But not to be all negative about things. The Barrow Point Eskimo tool mentioned above is well described in on of Holmes' books. In a really rare case, actual measurements are even given! The description of use is as a pressure flaker, but those of you that have used horizontal punches: Can you see it? The spatula end on the ground under the heel or leg. Look at that wear pattern. Looks familiar, yes? (Of course, it can be used as a pressure flaker too just like an axe can be a hatchet, wedge, hammer, knife, etc.) There's a testable idea. If anyone gets to it before I do, please report back.
JackCrafty:
Well said. I'm curious as to how many Eskimo "pressure" flakers have a spatula end. I've seen Eskimo flaking tools but that's the only one I've seen with the flattend part. Seems likely that it is a multi-tool much like many of the hammerstones I've seen that also doubled as manos, for example.
Just for the record, I don't see any horizontal punches in any of the "data" in Ben's last post. And I'm hoping that no one sees horizontal punches in the photo containing the obsidian points.
Hummingbird Point:
--- Quote from: JackCrafty on January 10, 2016, 12:19:48 am ---Well said. I'm curious as to how many Eskimo "pressure" flakers have a spatula end. I've seen Eskimo flaking tools but that's the only one I've seen with the flattend part. Seems likely that it is a multi-tool much like many of the hammerstones I've seen that also doubled as manos, for example.
Just for the record, I don't see any horizontal punches in any of the "data" in Ben's last post. And I'm hoping that no one sees horizontal punches in the photo containing the obsidian points.
--- End quote ---
It is a curious tool, isn't it? Here's the info I have that links it to the Hupa (a California Tribe): The description of the Hupa falker is given as:
"...a chipper composed of a crooked handle to which is lashed a short piece of antler precisely similar to those which I collected at Point Barrow."
He goes on to describe the tool used as a pressure flaker, which is fine, but it begs the question: If all the tool is is a pressure flaker why go to the trouble of making the crooked handle?
nclonghunter:
when applying pressure to a preform or point I would think that flat paddle may feel better against the forearm than a narrow stick. If I had one of those it would be easy to test.
Hummingbird Point:
--- Quote from: nclonghunter on January 10, 2016, 08:17:36 pm ---when applying pressure to a preform or point I would think that flat paddle may feel better against the forearm than a narrow stick. If I had one of those it would be easy to test.
--- End quote ---
Lyman,
Fresh out of walrus ivory, eh? Me too. But I found a piece of red osier dogwood yesterday that is just right to replicate the handle, so I cut it but want it to cure awhile before I run any tests. Below is a close up of the tool and I think you can make out the text above and below that describes how the observer saw the tool being used. Note the wear on the bottom of the spatula end. Also, the angled wear with slight cupping in the antler bit looks like the wear I am geting on horizontal punches.
You should tell everyone your idea on how the "baseball bat" tools were used. I think your idea on them is very smart.
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