Trace studies of stone bifacial arrowheads of the Bronze Age from the steppe areas of the Volga region, Southern Urals and Central Kazakhstan revealed the presence of micro-residues left on them by metal tools. The aim of the study is to identify experimentally the signs of using metal flaking tools in the process of manufacturing of stone arrowheads. For the experimental work, copper pressing tools and a control series of double-sided arrowheads made of flint, quartzite, jasper and chalcedony, were prepared. As a result, it has been found that copper micro-residue is not present on all samples, so linear traces formed by a chip of the copper pressing tool on the edge of the product become particularly important. At the point of contact of pressure flaking tool with the surface of the stone, scratches of various localizations with a characteristic metallic luster can be seen. Noteworthy, in most cases the linear traces are rare. Based on the location of wear traces on experimental arrowheads, a schematic pattern of the probable location of copper residue and scratches has been developed, that will allow easier determination of traces of the use of metal tools on the surface of double-sided arrowheads dated to the Bronze Age.

Keywords: Bronze Age, stone bifacial arrowheads, copper pressure flaking tool, residue analysis for metals, linear traces, use wear analysis.

Funding. The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (No. FWRZ-2021-0006).

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Accepted: 09.06.2025

Article is published: 15.09.2025