Yes. Preforms. Rather hurriedly made as evidenced by the hinge fractures in some of them, but nothing that a skilled knapper couldn't take care of as they further reduce the mass.
Nice finds. Thanks for sharing.
How did they take those big flakes or pieces of flint or whatever they are called to give it the shape?
They would use 'hammerstones' of various size and hardness to strike a smaller piece from a larger workable source. A hammerstone could also be used for further reduction of the smaller piece. An antler 'billet' could be used for finer more precise striking, but at the stage we are looking at a hammerstone would be quickest and last the longest.
They were just trying to 'rough out' a piece that could be easily carried to another spot (or stored somewhere) for further reduction and refinement. We are talking 'percussion' reduction at that level. You simply would not be able to remove big enough flakes by 'pressure' flaking. Both methods were needed depending upon what was being made.
Amazing what could be done by skilled knappers and rudimentary tools back then. I have seen some BIG Corner Tang knives that are thinner than anything I can make. Some of the Native Americans had incredible skill and understanding of what it takes to manipulate the stone. Of course 'GOOD' material makes a huge difference.