I've been doing some research on tool marks on ancient gold (again!).
In some cases splits or 'chips' in the end of little punches or similar
tools leave corresponding raised marks within the punched hollows. My
gut reaction is to equate very sharp impressions (repeated over many
deprssions) and indications chipped tool blades with iron/steel rather
than copper alloys, but I wonder if anyone has done any work on this, or
on the wear/chipping/retention of sharp edges/splitting of small copper
alloy tools? We are talking about tools with ends a millimetre or two
length or diameter.
Thanks
Jack Ogden
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