PAGE 2 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
MIKE DOTHAGER
ROCKER-PUNCH FLAKING

Core and core blades.
ROCKER-PUNCH FLAKING
MIKE DOTHAGER

   It only takes five or six minutes to drive off several core blades by using rocker-punch flaking.

   Mike says he developed the rocker-punch technique partly from a fluting method used by Bob Patten that also involves indirect percussion flaking.

Driving off a large flake by indirect percussion.
ROCKER-PUNCH FLAKING
MIKE DOTHAGER

   Mike also uses a stone for a punch. In this picture two stones are used to strike off a flake by indirect percussion flaking.

   He uses different sizes of punches made of antler and for large flake removals a stone can also be used for a punch.

Large detatched flake.

ROCKER-PUNCH FLAKING
MIKE DOTHAGER

   This is the flake that was driven off by using the two stones in the previous picture. One stone was used as a punch and the other as a hammer.

   The antler punch is laid on a cushion of leather in a way that it can pivot where it's held steady by the heel of the foot. When the antler is struck with a hammer stone a percussion flake is driven off at the point of impact on the biface or core.

Set up for rocker-punch flaking.

ROCKER-PUNCH FLAKING
MIKE DOTHAGER

   This picture shows everything in position to strike off a flake. He is using a piece of antler as a punch and a stone as the hammer to strike it off.

CONTINUE ON TO PAGE 3

"REFERENCES"

1973, "Archaeology by Experiment, by John Coles, p.15.
Personal communications with Mike Dothager.

HOME    ORDERING