Microblade technology

[1] An alternate method of defining blades focuses on production features, including parallel lateral edges and dorsal scars, a lack of cortex, a prepared platform with a broad angle, and a proximal bulb of percussion.

[5] In other words, in the resource-limited environment of the Last Glacial Maximum, hunter-gatherers invested more time acquiring better raw materials and developing the technique of lithic manufacture.

These changes in lithic technology appear to have been adaptations to reduced resource availability due to climate changes during the Last Glacial Maximum and Younger Dryas allowing for more efficient sustenance strategies.

It was at this site that microblades were found along with diverse artifacts: needles, awls, and a bone knife handle.

At least six independent Native American groups used microblade technology, including the Poverty Point/Jaketown, Hopewell culture, Tikal Maya, and Northwest Coast peoples.

19000 year old microblades found at Fukui cave in Japan.
Here is an example of two microblades and a microblade core.
A piece of chert used to make microblades, found in Lake Clark National Park , Alaska.
16,000-14,000 year old microblades found at Fukui cave in Japan, arranged as they would on a spear tip.