The stone tools found at Star Carr are made from two major types of flint: glacial till flint and Yorkshire Wolds flint. The Wolds flint was more easily obtainable and thus was chosen for the experiment. The flint used was fine grained and light grey in colour, with a chalky white cortex. Unmodified flakes (n = 104) were knapped using hard hammer percussion. Gloves were not worn during knapping to allow manual control over the core and flaking process; however, the knapper washed his hands before each knapping session to prevent any non-use related residues from adhering to the experimental flakes. Flakes were caught on the surface of a plastic tarp before being placed in individual polyethylene zip-lock bags. The flakes were then stored at room temperature prior to their use. Thereafter, they were handled only with powder-free gloved hands both to reduce the addition of contaminants, and reduce the exposure of residues to physical and chemical alteration owing to variables not associated with the experiment.
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