This technology consists of the ability to remove a long (up to 12-inch), extremely sharp blade from a core of obsidian (volcanic glass) in a single maneuver. There exists, however, an entirely different facet of lithic technology which is less well known. (…) the irregular flaked edge is the hallmark of those artifacts with which we are all familiar. However, Crabtree was especially interested in a less well-known area of lithic technology: Indeed, there is mention of the Aztecs shaving the Spaniards with similar instruments. These blades were described three centuries ago by the early Spaniards of Mexico and Guatemala. The high point of this technology, producing thin pressure-flaked blades, was reached in Mesoamerica, where it was perfected approximately 2,500 years ago. This type of blade is also attributed to the Northwest Indians of North America, and was described by Ishi, the „wild Indian“ of Northern California. Similar types of blades, and the „cores“ from which they were detached, have been found in archaeological sites in France dating back 35,000 to 1 million years. 4 His research included findings from Europe as well as from North and Mesoamerica. He re-discovered the technique to produce cutting blades of an extreme degree of sharpness from volcanic glass and became a world leading expert during his career. 1Ĭrabtree started experimenting with flint-knapping already in the 60s. At that time Crabtree was a research associate in prehistoric technology at the Idaho State University, Gould associate curator of North American Archaeology at the American Museum of Natural History. Gould published their articel „Man’s Oldest Craft Re-created“ about prehistoric flint-knapping technology.
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