FLAKING TECHNIQUES

While there are many techniques or forms of flaking, I am only going to show the 6 most prevalent.  There are many variations of each form, but these illustrations should give you a firm grasp of what some of the more "classic" techniques are.  Although each of these can be found being practiced in any time period, some were known to be utilized frequently by fewer peoples. 

CHEVRON

Chevron flaking is not common, but can be found sparingly in all artifacts of most time periods. Chevron flaking is achieved by conflicting oblique  flakes, meeting in the center and forming a "V" pattern. 

COLLATERAL

Collateral flaking is achieved by flakes being at right angles to the longitudal axis of an artifact, being of uniform size and regularity to the opposite edge.  Flakes extend to the middle from both edges, meeting in the center. 

 

OBLIQUE PARALLEL

Oblique Parallel flakes are slanted or deviated from a perpendicular line.  The flakes are uniform in size, shape and regularity.  Some notable specimens that exhibit Oblique Parallel flaking with regularity are Allen & Nightfire. 

PARALLEL

Long, consistent  chipping scars running sequentially parallel.  They are uniform in size, shape, and regularity. 

RANDOM

Non-patterned flakes.  Random is the most common of all flaking styles and can be found in all time periods. 

TRANSVERSE

Flakes extending from one side of a blade face to the other.  Outre-Passe is a form of Horizontal Transverse Flaking.

 

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