Making an obsidian biface using a soft hammerstone - Demonstration by Dr J. Jeffrey Flenniken

Making an obsidian biface using a soft hammerstone
Demonstration by Dr J. Jeffrey Flenniken
University of New England, Australia
1982

[@cliffowens3629]

Dude, you're confident and fast.

[@mjflinty]

The best 14 minute flintknapping video I have ever watched. Excellent explanation, concise yet inclusive of all the information a knapper should know about biface manufacture.

[@MrTechmoore]

Smoked most Knappers like a cheap cigar. This guy is LEGEND.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Wow, 1982! I thought much of this information/technology had come about in the 90's or later. Surprised to see a video from this time with such thorough knowledge of bifacial thinning strategies, and the ability to key them to "on the ground" archaeoloical findings.

[@markmoore6999]

Jeff Flenniken is an archaeologist/flintknapper from the heyday in the rediscovery of advanced flintknapping techniques in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a student of Donald Crabtree, and continued with Crabtree's flintknapping fieldschools in Idaho through the 1980s. This video was made during a tour he did of Australian universities. The exclusive use of soft hammerstones, particularly for obsidian, is typical of the 'Crabtree School', and this is how Flenniken instructed flintknapping at his fieldschools.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Ok, thanks for the additional info. I was an anthropology grad student in the 60's and 70's when I first started trying to flint knap, so I knew of Crabtree. I started up again a few years ago so am clueless about those intervening years.

[@cliffowens3629]

Dude, sweet.

[@ratnosardi.m1022]

great technique & precision biface knapping.

[@knottyboy2007]

I like his technique of holding the biface up off his leg, back edge supported, letting those thinning flakes discharge freely.

[@cliffowens3629]

Are there natural deposits of obsidian in oz?

[@Biltzeebub]

He mentions that there are 4 attributes to keep in mind when knapping. Anyone know what they are?

[@crums888]

OHS hadn’t been invented yet in 1982

[@cliffowens3629]

You seemed to be in a hurry.

[@Susan-L193]

guessing that either reflects his expertise, or need to keep video short. You can slow the playback speed if necessary, which I am doing in places.