Primitive Indirect Percussion Device

This device is a primitive version of the device shown elsewhere on this site. Native Americans could have constructed this device because it is made from all natural materials: hickory, sinew, rawhide, deerskin and antler. The antler is placed on the edge of a stone flake and struck with another antler, knocking off a thin flake.

Indirect Percussion Device

This is a device that helps to flintknap arrowheads and knife blades. You line up the copper point on the edge of the stone and strike the top of the white baton. A long, flat flake will be removed. The point in the picture was made using this device.

Aboriginal Bopper

Here is a picture of an aboriginal "bopper," or percussion instrument that primitive man could have used to make stone tools and weapons. I constructed this tool by using the fork of an elk antler to hold a hammerstone. Then I hafted the stone in place using deer rawhide. I soaked the rawhide lace in water until it was soft and pliable, then wrapped the stone in place in the elk horn fork. When the rawhide dried it shrank, making a very tight and secure binding for the stone tool. This tool would be used to strike flakes off the edge of flint rock. The flakes were used for scrapers or arrowheads and the main body of the stone would be a sharp-edged axe, hoe, adze or tomahawk.