Why did they do that?

[cgode]

Thank you Mojave, great explanation. As a beginner I try to absorb as much as I can and your article has certainly clarified this topic for me. The picture examples were very helpful, I can actually "see" what grinding is referring to now. Thanks again!

[uniface]

I don't know if the story has changed in the years since around 1990, or whether it only applies to NEastern paleo stuff, but the inside word back then was that basal grinding was always along the axis of the point -- never at right angles to it. What the later folk did (if/when they did it at all) I don't know.

FWIW

[Mojave]

Originally Posted by uniface

I don't know if the story has changed in the years since around 1990, or whether it only applies to NEastern paleo stuff, but the inside word back then was that basal grinding was always along the axis of the point -- never at right angles to it. What the later folk did (if/when they did it at all) I don't know.

FWIW

Not sure what you mean.
Most grinding is along the lateral margins rather than on the proximal end.

[arrow719]

.................

[uniface]

Edge grinding was up and down along the axis : up toward the tip, back toward the base. On the base, side-to-side. In both cases the grinding runs along the length of the edge to be ground -- not back and forth at a right angle to it.

[Stonecracker59]

Very good article thanks for sharing i learned a little bit

[mootsman]

Originally Posted by uniface

Edge grinding was up and down along the axis : up toward the tip, back toward the base. On the base, side-to-side. In both cases the grinding runs along the length of the edge to be ground -- not back and forth at a right angle to it.

I was experimenting around the other day grinding some edges and quickly realized that the way you describe is certainly the easiest way. I am curious as to how side notch points might have been ground. The really early ones around here are heavily ground in the notches. I've scoped them and the grinding is as pronounced as along the base.

[Mojave]

Originally Posted by uniface

Edge grinding was up and down along the axis : up toward the tip, back toward the base. On the base, side-to-side. In both cases the grinding runs along the length of the edge to be ground -- not back and forth at a right angle to it.

If I understand what you are saying, it never occurred to me that grinding would be done "back and forth" against an edge as opposed to "with the edge." I guess that is counter-intuitive to me. Is there any evidence anywhere or anytime that grinding could have been or was done that way? I guess there doesn't seem to be any mechanical advantage to that in my mind. It seems it would be harder to accomplish, more risky, and not serve any advantage.

[uniface]

So said the people with the microscopes, anyhow.

[comanche]

This makes since .Considering the examples of the Abraiding rocks I have seen.They have long deep cut valleys that support edge to edge grinding.
Thanks for brinning it up,,,never really considerd this///comanche