Burins

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A burin is a chisel-like implement derived from a flake or blade; the modification of other implements by using the burin technique to remove the edges parallel to their long axis and/or transversely or obliquely. Generally forms a right angle edge on one or both margins. The specialized flake removed as a result of the burin break is called a burin blade or burin spall (Crabtree 1982:27[1]).

A burin is a tool which can take many forms but all are made by the burin blow technique. This has been defined as the action of making the ´sides´ of a burin.

A burin spall can be defined as "the part of a flake, blade, or bladelet detached by burin blow technique" (Tixier 1974:9[2]).

"The 'sides' of a burin consists of one or more burin facets, that is, flake scars each of which is produced by striking a piece off a flake, blade or bladelet, which may or may not have been prepared to receive this blow. The piece which is struck off is usually long and narrow, and is called the 'burin spall'." (Tixier 1974:9)

dihedral burin
A dihedral burin is a burin that is made by two (or more) intersecting burin facets so that a point is formed.

burin on a break
A burin on a break is a burin where the burin blow was made on to a break surface. Often a blade is broken to provide a platform for the burin blow.
burin on a truncation
A burin on a truncation- similar to a burin on a break except the platform has been retouched i.e. the blank has been truncated by retouch rather than simply broken.
multiple burin
- when a number of burin blows i.e. more than two, have been made at the same place.


References

  1. Crabtree, Don E. 1982 An Introduction to Flintworking. Occasional Papers of the Idaho Museum of Natural History 28.
  2. Tixier, J. 1974 Glossary for the Description of Stone Tools with Special Reference to the Epipalaeolithic of the Maghreb. English edition, translated by M. Newcomer. Newsletter of Lithic Technology: Special Publication Number 1 - December 1974.