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It was probably looking for information about neanderthals that got the Al Gore Rhythm to start sharing stone knapping videos to me on YouTube.
It's amazing how much of a nodule of flint or obsidian ends up on the ground to make one spear head.
It's misleading, most of the those flakes are purposed to other tools. Very little was wasted when this technology was at its peak.
It's sometimes strange to think of this as technology, but it most certainly is.
I'm even starting to learn the differences between early and late versions of the tools, as the technology of knocking chips off gets more refined and elegant.
I'm sure you've come across this, but the thing that fascinated me is that electron microscopes show that obsidian produces a smaller, sharper edge than steel can and that has led to a resurgence of making those blades for surgeons. Doctors who use them say they produce less scarring due to less inflammation in the incision.
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