Careful excavation and recording methods are essential in determining the age, cultural identity, time of habitation and function of any prehistoric sites. Archaeologists were able to determine from the distribution of flint chips (stone detritus) at the 1,500-year old Cape d'Or site that a flint knapper had worked there. This scene is brought to life by the artist. The tool itself was made by striking the core material with a hammer of stone or antler. Finishing touches in the shaping and thinning of an implement were accomplished by using a smaller stone hammer or antler billet. Some of the finer, more delicate stone working was done by pressure flaking, using an antler tine punch.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada and National Film Board of Canada
