Scandinavian Flint
- an Archaeological Perspective
A part of the subject areas Archaeology and Archaeology (general)
More about the book
About the book
In Scandinavia as elsewhere, cryptocrystalline rocks such as flint were an integral part of peoples' lives during prehistory. Knowledge about flint, its properties, its uses, and its many names, was no doubt transmitted through the generations as part of everyday life. As archaeologists, we are interested in how prehistoric people dealt with flint and what they might have seen as the strengths and the weaknesses of the various kinds of flint available. But in order to answer such questions it is necessary that we are able to talk to each other about flint in an informed and informative manner. Scandinavian Flint proposes a classification into 17 types for use by archaeologists. Flint types are described and evaluated in terms of knappability, limitations posed by nodule size, and prehistoric availability, rather than in terms of morphogenesis or chemical composition. Flint formation, geographic distribution of flint sources in Scandinavia, provenience studies, and patination are discussed in detail.
Scandinavian Flint is a useful guide for archaeologists working with flint.
Press reviews
Heinz Tron EAZ Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
"Der detailierte Blick in die Welt des Flints ist jedoch beeindruckend. Der vorgelegte Katalog, in dem die Verbreitung und die einzelnen Eingenschaften verschiedenster Flintvorkommen zusammengefasst werden, ist daher hilfreich. Ein ausführliches Literaturverzeichnis (151-157) bietet den Lesern einen guten Zugang zu dieser Problematik".
William Andrefsky Jr. Washington State University Books reviews
"The book is a very-well-illustrated description of flint from the project area and will help regional archaeologists understand the complexity of Scandinavian flint."
