THE PERCUSSIVE METHOD OF STONE NAPPING IS THE OLDEST. OBSIDIAN IS EASY TO FRACTURE MAKING EXCELLENT KNIVES AND SPEARS WITH LONG SHARP EDGES. WHEN USING A MATERIAL LIKE THIS OBSIDIAN AND SOME OTHER TYPES OF STONE THAT FRACTURE LONG AND CLEAN WITH LONG SHARP EDGES THEY OFTEN STOP THERE. THIS TYPE OF POINT IS FOUND IN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AMERICA AS WELL AS IN THE REGION OF THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS AND PERHAPS IN OTHER REGIONS. THE PERCUSSION AND PRESSURE FLAKING TECHNIQUE CAME ABOUT LATER MOSTLY TO DEAL WITH SHAPING MORE DIFFICULT TYPES OF STONE AND TO MAKE SMALLER MORE COMPLICATED SHAPES. THE MOST TECHNICALLY DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE POINTS WERE MADE USING THE OLD PERCUSSIVE TECHNIQUES AND THE CLOVIS AND FOLSOM POINTS DEVELOPED OVER 10 THOUSAND YEARS AGO WERE THE VERY BEST. THE PRESSURE FLAKING IS PRETTY AND EFFICIENT BUT NO DOUBT CAME ABOUT IN LATER TIMES.
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