How to make a Tranchet Axe from flint

Описание: Replicating Britain's oldest axe, first created by humans 11,000 years ago!

The Mesolithic tranchet axe has a single sharpening flake removed from the blade end known as a “tranchet flake”. The word tranchet supposedly means “slice” in French, though it actually refers to a type of knife (similar purpose I suppose). Instead, the word used should in fact be “tranche”- slice. To resharpen these tools requires a knapper to set up a platform in one corner of the blade end and remove another tranchet flake.

Some examples of tranchet axes are known to date back to the early Mesolithic, 11,000 years ago. These axes (or adzes) were not as heavy duty as their later Neolithic counterparts and were probably not intended for felling large trees frequently. Wood working in the Mesolithic was mostly restricted to thinner timber for bows and shelter staves. However, the occasional felling of a large tree for a log boat would have challenged the axes and their users!

Removing the tranchet flake can be challenging and as you can see, even the most experienced knappers occasionally need more than one go at it!

🎥: Emma Jones / ELWJ Media
---------
Support us on Patreon:   / ancientcraftuk  

To find out more about my flintknapping and experimental archaeology visit my website or follow me on social media!
Website: http://www.ancientcraft.co.uk/
Twitter:   / ancientcraftuk  
Facebook:   / ancientcraftuk  
Instagram:   / ancientcraftuk