Lithic technology involves hitting two stones, or hard objects together, and making tools. All stones are made up of minute crystals that can only be seen with a microscope, know as cryptocrystalline. This and conchoidal fractures make up good lithic technology. Conchoidal fractures are described as smooth, curved breaks from the base stone. Stones that have both of these characteristics allow for flakes that are big and sharp enough for a variety of tools to be made.

Common types of stone for lithic tools included:
▪ Agate
▪ Basalt
▪ Chalcedony
▪ Chert
▪ Diorite
▪ Flint
▪ Greenstone
▪ Jadeite
▪ Jasper
▪ Obsidian
▪ Onyx
▪ Quartz
▪ Quartzite
▪ Sandstone
▪ Schist
▪ Silcrete, and
▪ Unknown

Given correct stone characteristics, a hard surface; and hammer stone. The mason, (or flintknapper), is able to test his ‘lithic technology’ skills and ability. How hard would you try searching for, and smashing rocks?

Bibliography: Andrefsky, W. (2005). Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN0-521-61500-3.

Waldorf, D. C. (1994). The Art of Flint Knapping (Paperback) (Fourth ed.). Mound Builder Books, Branson MO, USA. p. 76. ISBN9780943917016.