ACHEULEAN FLAKE TOOL
KALAMBO FALLS SITE
STRATIFIED OPEN AIR SITE
NORTHEASTERN ZAMBIA, AFRICA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY  COLLECTION
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     This small unifacial flake tool was discovered sometime during the 1953-1966 excavation of the Kalambo Falls site by J. Desmond Clark. It was found in the lowest archaeological sequence of the site within the Acheulean horizon. This simple tool was made from a small flake that was struck from a larger piece of chert. The bulb-of-percussion can clearly be seen on the ventral (lower or smooth flake side) side. The edges of this flake tool may have been used for multiple tasks such as scraping or cutting. The edge illustrated in the picture below shows step fracturing that could have been caused by either shaping the edge during manufacture, later retouching the edge for resharpening or from use wear. This tool was made from good quality chert and it measures1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm) long.