GLOSSARY OF LITHIC TERMSmore  -->

Abrading: The process of modifying a stone through friction created by rubbing or scraping.

Adze: A cutting tool, similar to an axe, where a bevelled stone blade is attached at a right angle to the (typically wooden/bone) handle, usually used to work or plane wood.

Axe: A chopping or cutting tool where a stone blade is attached to a (typically wooden/bone) handle with edge parallel to the handle.

Bevelled edge: An edge that is slanted.

Biface: A flaked stone tool that has been modified or retouched on both sides.

Blade: A cutting tool made from a flake that’s length is at least twice its width, with parallel edges.

Chisel: A hand tool that has a bevelled cutting edge on one end, and is used for cutting or carving. A hammer may be used in conjunction with this tool.

Cobble tool: A type of large core, with a spall removed, that is used as a chopping/cutting tool.

Cores: A stone that functions as the primary source for flaked pieces.

Cortex: Weathered surface on the outer layer of a rock.

Debitage: Any piece of stone that is detached from a core or tool during manufacture.

Flake: A fragment of stone that has been detached from a core or tool.

Flake scars: The mark that is left when a flake has been detached from a stone tool or core.

Knife: A type of blade where the working edge is curved or serrated.

Mt. Edziza: A volcano in northwestern British Columbia that is the main source for obsidian (volcanic glass) in the region.

Multidirectional core: A type of core where flakes are removed from multiple directions and with different striking platforms.

Notches: Indentations on a stone tool that allows the lithic to be more easily attached to a shaft or handle (ie. Hafting).

Pecking: The process of shaping a stone tool by using a rock or hammer to pound the stone, creating small indentations.

Points: A type of flaked stone tool that has a pointed edge and is typically used for stabbing or piercing.

Retouch: The process where a stone tool’s edge is intentionally modified.

Scottsbluff point: A type of biface point that has a distribution across the US and West-Central Canada and is associated with the late Paleolithic and early Archaic periods.

Scraper: A flake that has been retouched along one or more edges, typically used for scraping purposes. If a stone tool is called an end scraper, this means that the distal end has been retouched, whereas if it’s called a side scraper, one of the flakes sides have been retouched.

Uniface: A flaked stone tool that has been modified or retouched on only one side.

Usewear: The process where a stone tool is modified by its use. 

Wedge: A stone tool that has one thick edge and one tapering edge that is used to split or secure object(s).

Weight: A lithic tool used to keep other objects in their place by weighing them down, such as fishing weights, or, in the case of the weight in the collection, a canoe anchor.

Working edge: The edge that is used for the tools designated purpose (ex. cutting, scraping, etc.)