These projectile points may have been attached to spears or throwing darts. They are too large and heavy for arrows. Spears were frequently used with atlatls, or throwing sticks, which significantly increased the distance and force of the point. The…

Cores were selected as raw material to make stone tools. Flakes were stuck off the core and worked further until the desired shape was obtained. Cores may were discarded when they were considered exhausted or used up. Stone tools have…

During the process of making stone tools, knappers produce many waste flakes. These tiny flakes and stone shatter are called debitage. By studying debitage archaeologists can gain a better understanding of how tools were made and what materials were preferred.…

Hammerstones were used to make other stone tools. They required little modification and were chosen for hardness and size. After use, hammerstones develop whitish areas called stone bruising. This happens when the other minerals in the stone are crushed. Knapping…

Stone tools, or lithics, are the most common artifacts found at local prehistoric sites. There are two general lithic tool classifications in San Diego County: chipped stone and ground stone. The flakes above are examples of chipped stone. The best…

A biface is any stone tool worked on both sides. However, archaeologists commonly used the term to describe tools that were made to used as knives or spear points. They would have been attached to wood or bone handles and…