Ochre An earthy red, yellow or brown iron oxide, used as a pigment. Pecking The production of small pits, nicks or indentations on the surface of a rock, usually by indirect percussion. Percussion-flaking See Knapping, above. The Pleistocene and Holocene epochs comprise the Quaternary period. Prehistory That part of the past beginning with the emergence of human beings and continuing until the introduction of written records.
Prehistory begins and ends at different times in different parts of the world.
For example, in Australia prehistory begins with the first human arrivals during the Upper or late Pleistocene, and continues until the time of European colonization. Pressure flaking Shaping a stone by pressing off small, thin flakes with a bone or wooden tool. A small stone point, trimmed on one or both surfaces, generally used as a spear tip. A small stone point, trimmed on one surface, generally used as a spear tip. Retouch The intentional flaking or trimming of a stone artefact on detachment from a core, usually by trimming, blunting or resharpening the edges.