Stream abrasion of flint implements

Abstract

MOST finds of European Lower Palaeolithic flint artefacts are made from ancient river gravels, either as what are assumed to be concentrations of freshly made implements, suggesting an occupation site, or as abraded material indicating stream redeposition. Verbal description of any abrasion is inaccurate, because lightly abraded specimens may appear fresh to the naked eye. The widths of ridges can be measured on implements with a microscope, thus allowing unworn artefacts and distinct assemblages within a given population to be identified.