Kiviterät

Kiviterät, often translated as stone blades or lithic tools, refers to a broad category of implements crafted from stone by prehistoric humans. These tools were fundamental to survival and societal development throughout the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. The creation of kiviterät involved a process known as lithic reduction, where a raw stone material, such as flint, chert, obsidian, or quartzite, was systematically fractured or chipped to achieve a desired shape and sharp edge.

The earliest kiviterät were simple choppers and handaxes, characterized by their basic, often symmetrical forms. As human technological capabilities evolved, so did the sophistication of stone tool production. Techniques like pressure flaking and indirect percussion allowed for the creation of more specialized tools such as scrapers, awls, drills, and projectile points. These tools served a wide array of purposes, including butchering animals, preparing hides, woodworking, and harvesting plants. The study of kiviterät, or lithics, is a cornerstone of archaeology, providing invaluable insights into the diet, technology, social organization, and migration patterns of ancient populations. The distribution and types of kiviterät found at archaeological sites are key indicators for dating sites and understanding cultural connections.