Stone Age New York

          This pair of stone knives represent examples of stone tool technology based on the previously described pentagonal design. The fluting on both knives has been chipped and ground down to a basally thinned blade between the two base "ears". The wide base that allows both artifacts to "stand" by themselves serves two purposes. On the larger artifact, this widened area holds the blade steady on the ground while it cuts whatever large object that is run back and forth over the blade. This same area of the artifact serves as a thumb grip on the smaller knife. Interestingly, the smaller knife was made for a right-handed person while the larger one was built in the opposite mode.

Photo 1: Large fluted stone knife, approximately 25 inches long.

Photo 2: Large fluted stone knife shown in standing position.

Photo 3: Small fluted stone knife shown in standing position.

Photo 4: Small fluted stone knife, top view.

Photo 5: Small fluted stone knife as held in right hand.