Core

Although Brunton (1948:8, Pl. iii, xvii, 73) initially called this item a scraper, it should be considered a core due to the lack of continuous edge retouching and the presence of wavy rather than flat edges along with large lateral removals. Nonetheless, the prominent find location of the piece below the head indicates its intentional inclusion in the tomb and its importance to the tomb owner.

The core is in very good condition with fresh sharp edges and no patina. The remaining cortex shows that it was made on a small nodule. The core was reduced in two stages: First, it was shaped with centripetal removals from both faces all around the edge, which detached most but not all of the cortex. The scars from this stage are large enough that some of the resulting flakes could have been used as tools. Next, at both longitudinal ends, the edges were made more square with smaller edge shaping removals. Finally, these squared edges were used as platforms for the removal of a few flakes/blades struck from each end following the lateral ridge on opposite edges. The piece can be characterized as a discoidal core later used as an opposed platform core.



Elizabeth Hart, J. Clawson Mills Research Fellow, 2018



Reference

Brunton, Guy 1948. Matmar. London: B. Quaritch.

Excavated by Guy Brunton of the British Museum Expedition to Middle Egypt at Matmar, 1931. Allotted to the excavator by the Egyptian Government in the division of finds. Acquired by the Museum from Brunton, 1932.