Stone Tools
These archeologically-recovered stone tools are representative of flaked cobble tools commonly used for food and fiber preparation over the last 10,000 years in Nez Perce Country. They were sometimes hafted to a wood or bone handle or held freehand and used for cutting, chopping, and battering chores. These examples are all made from locally available river cobbles. Created primarily through percussion flaking, these tools were intended for heavy duty use where strength and durability were needed.

Knife
c 6000 B.C.
Bifacially flaked, double edged with rounded edge ground end.
Basalt. L 13, W 5 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 6386

Ax Head (center)
4000 B.C.
Bifacially flaked double edged, flat with two curved cutting edges and two opposing concave notches.
Basalt. L 8.6, W 7.4, T 2 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 6387

Chopper (right)
c 4000 B.C.
Hand held singular faced chipped cobble with ground edges.
Igneous rock. L 9.2, W 7.7, T 5 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 6390