C. Ageeva

The article gives a detailed characteristic, in 13 features, of a series of plates (132 items) from the Post II Mesolithic site. After analysis of the items, the author concludes that the majority of the plates were manufactured in the technique of direct stroke with soft hammer. Some of the plates may have been manufactured in the bipolar technique (counterstroke knapping on anvil). Knapping in the soft hammer technique is characterized by a combination of subtly prominent or prominent bulb of applied force, well-marked ledged rim on the ventral side, long and wide striking platform angle of flake close to 60–80°, and absence or presence of a small wide and flat defect. Flakes of counterstroke knapping have been initially identified according to five main characteristics: 1. – Chipped proximal and distal end; 2. – broken striking platform which may look as a chipped rib; 3. – flat and broken bulb of applied force or concave surface of the ventral side; 4. – punctiform or conical proximal end; 5. – right angle of flaking. In the course of the work, additional features were determined: small length to width of section ratio (6–8), presence of a deep conical defect which breaks the bulb of applied force, absence of striking platform.