Qin chinese- mongols

[FierceKitty]

Arrowheads are much smaller than spearheads.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Worked for javelins too. Be remade a thrusting spear (but I was about 9)!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looks like I'm not the only one!

http://www.timelineauctions.com/lot/slate-inuit-spearhead-collection/6273/

http://m.wikihow.com/Make-Arrow-and-Spearheads-out-of-Slate

[Techno]

With flint arrowheads....and having watched some clever clogs napping (?) flint...
If you ever find one, how can you be certain that it's 'genuine' prehistoric example, and not one that's been made recently ?

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

However, sedimentary spearheads revealed this
http://www.spearheadbeer.com/real-beer

[Techno]

Aren't hops a little soft for making arrows and spears ? 
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

There's no way of telling Techno apart from stratification evidence, if it's found in situ with other evidence it becomes dateable chap.

Also the stone age lasts the best part of 2million years, whereas the Bronze Age is about 2000 years and the Iron Age is 700 years!

And the periods overlap depending where you are in the world! Britain went into the Bronze Age early, but Iron Age late. Papua New Guinea only got to the Iron Age in the 19th century!

[FierceKitty]

I'd better avoid getting involved in the production side of neolithic weapons. But the one in my mind is, of course, the formidable edge which can be made of obsidian.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

 Glazing over that...

[Techno]

Surely, there weren't any folk who fashioned obsidian into weapons.....Or have I forgotten an ancient civilization ? 
Cheers - Phil

[FierceKitty]

Sir Kenneth would question the word civilisation there, and for once I'd agree with him.

[sunjester]

Surely, there weren't any folk who fashioned obsidian into weapons.....Or have I forgotten an ancient civilization ? 
Cheers - Phil

Much of Central America used obsidian, Maya, Aztecs (sorry, wash my mouth out) etc.  Also used a lot around the Aegean and other parts of the Med. Anywhere volcanic will have reasonable amounts of the stiff around. I've a couple of nice Pre-Columbian pieces from Mexico. I looks lovely made into tools and blades, it's a very pretty way of killing people.

Pissst...wanna buy an arrowhead guv?

[Hertsblue]

Does that mean there's such a thing as obsidian knapping?

[fsn]

If you make blades from goat bones, is that kid-knapping?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

If you make blades from goat bones, is that kid-knapping?

NO

IanS

[Leman]

Well, if it's a young goat then yes.

[FierceKitty]

As you hit igneous rock, it goes "wink...wink...wink. Thus, a nap (spelling has changed over time) became known as forty winks, that being long enough to send the worst insomniac off to Morpheus.

[Leman]

You learn something every day.

[Ithoriel]

You learn something every day.

Not to believe a word FK says?

[Techno]

Sir Kenneth would question the word civilisation there, and for once I'd agree with him.

What's Sir Kenneth Branagh got to do with this erudite discussion ?
Cheers - Phil