MESOLITHIC BURIN

Unknown artist

A Mesolithic flint tool on a flake, probably a burin. The flint is of pale to dark grey in colour and measures 27.2 mm in length, 8 mm in width and is 6.8 mm thick. It weighs 1.5 grams. The tool is triangular in section. The prepared striking platform is visible on the proximal end of the flake and there is invasive and abrupt retouch running down the left lateral edge (when held with dorsal side facing). This was presumably to facilitate comfortable use of the tool. Retouch around the distal end of the flake may relate to platform preparation prior to the removal of a spall in creation of the burin. Burins may have been used as engraving tools but may also have been used in the manufacture and prepare bone and antler tools using the groove and splinter technique (Butler 2005, 51).