Editing Tool stone

{{Short description|Type of stone that is used to manufacture stone tools}}
{{distinguish|Stone tool}}
{{About|tool stone in archaeology|diamond tool stone|diamond tool}}

In [[archaeology]], a '''tool stone''' is a type of stone that is used to manufacture [[stone tool]]s,<ref name=Lithics>
{{cite book | first=William | last=Andrefsky Jr. | title=Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | year=2005 |edition=Second | isbn=0-521-61500-3 }}</ref>
or tools that use stone as raw material.<ref name=Folsom>
{{cite book
| isbn       = 978-1-879621-27-5
| url        = https://books.google.com/books?id=8oUIAQAAMAAJ&q=%22tool+stone%22
| title      = Folsom lithic technology: explorations in structure and variation
| publisher  = International Monographs in Prehistory
| author     = Daniel S. Amick
| year       = 1999
| access-date = 2010-10-03
}}
</ref>

Generally speaking, tools that require a sharp edge are made using [[cryptocrystal]]line materials that fracture in an easily controlled [[Conchoidal fracture|conchoidal]] manner.<ref name=Lithics/>
Cryptocrystalline tool stones include [[flint]] and [[chert]], which are fine-grained [[sedimentary]] materials; [[rhyolite]] and [[felsite]], which are [[igneous]] [[flowstone]]s; and [[obsidian]], a form of natural glass created by igneous processes. These materials fracture in a predictable fashion, and are easily resharpened. For more information on this subject, see [[lithic reduction]].

Large-grained materials such as [[basalt]], [[granite]] and [[sandstone]] may also be used as tool stones, but for a very different purpose: they are ideal for [[ground stone]] [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]]. Whereas cryptocrystalline materials are most useful for killing and processing animals, large-grained materials are usually used for processing plant matter. Their rough faces often make excellent surfaces for grinding plant seeds. With much effort, some large-grained stones may be ground down into [[stitching awl|awls]], [[adzes]], and [[axe]]s.

== See also ==
* [[Cupstone]]
* [[Lithic technology]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Prehistoric technology| state=expanded}}

[[Category:Archaeological artefact types]]
[[Category:Lithics]]