Lithic Tool and Pottery Production Processes
...d through the material, producing a Hertzian cone of force which causes the rock to fracture in a specified, easily controlled fashion. This action is repeated as the flintknapper, or tool producer, detaches the desired number of flakes from the nucleus of source material, the core, which is marked with the negative scars of these flakes. The surface area of the core which received the blows necessary for detaching the flakes is referred to as the striking platform. The excess flake which becomes detached because of the cone of force, and not due to being directly percussed, is called shatter. The core may be discarded or shaped further into a core tool, such as can be seen in some types of handaxe. After reduction, the tool is then available for inclusion in multi-component tools, whoe functions can range form hunting and processing animals and harvesting, to warfare and defense and ceremonial representations. Pottery Production Process To begin the pottery process, a variety of clay is chosen based on availability from a nearby quarry, it’s suitability for manufacture and the durability of the final product. Once quarried and transported back to the pottery, the clay and a predetermined temper, such as sand, are then mixed in the proportions required to make the type and size of ware desired, wether it be a piece for serving, storage, processing or transporting (the mixture being called the body.) Water is then added to create a malleable mud known as the paste. The paste is kneaded to remove air bubbles and produce a uniform article which can be further molded. The clay, while still damp, is shaped by being coiled (shaped into long strings then made into a closed circle with each clay coil being layered on top of another then smoothed), thrown on a wheel, or cast by molds. After being coiled, molded, or wheel-formed, the damp clay shapes are trimmed to slough of excess clay or to enable the addition of appliques, handles or footing, to the main body of the piece. The resulting seams are then blended back into the body. The moist, shaped clay ware is then allowed to dry in the open air, permitting the ceramics to be further handled for decoration and eventual firing. Prior to firing, the clay ware might be decorated by leaf application, marking the actual...