Flintknapping, Reproducing, Replicating, Ethics, and Copper

[iowabow]

John, in your mind, what's the difference between replicating and abo knapping?

I have an answer but not the time to write I have to teach ...I will write it out tonight.........I love this kind of stuff......

[JackCrafty]

Cool!

[iowabow]

Cool!

Short answer is "intent"

long answer still to come.

[iowabow]

I think of ABO as a term that defines an aspect of knapping that came before modern forms of knapping which tend to produce lithics with metal type tools. ABO lithics are produced with materials available to the knapper based on location and contact and tend to produce lithics with organic and natural materials i.e. antler, bone, wood, ivory, stone, etc...and to a lesser degree copper.

ABO to me represents a set of tools predating wide spread copper industry (different times different places). So as I work my ABO tools I do so with a particular intent. Maybe I want to produce a point for my arrow for fishing and I want it to be small and have two hooks on it. This design in my head is mine. I now have no intention of replicating an others design. I then develop a set of  skills particular to the design.
Replication is a process of learning how to influence the stone in a manor that produces another persons design. Both of these processes could use ABO tools and produce different ABO effects.

[JackCrafty]

Where is the scientific analysis?  Doesn't replicating also imply a formal recording of the process?

I would argue that someone who is "replicating" in isolation is not replicating but simply abo knapping.  The whole point of replication, at least in the archeological journals, is to produce a record of the process for review and possibly a basis for future work.

[iowabow]

Case 1. If I spent a lifetime learning how to do x and x was a paleo technique and I wrote about but did not publish for review and then died was I replicating. I dont believe I need to be part of current dialogue to be replicating. The writings could  be published at a later date by family and contribute volumes to the then current base of knowledge.

Case 2. If I spent a lifetime learning how to do x and x was a paleo technique and I did not write about it but upon my death left my tools/points to my family and the family donated them to a school for review was I replicating? In this case the dialoque is presented in the form of tools to contribute to the current body of knowledge.

Case 3. If I spent a lifetime learning how to do x and x was a paleo technique and never shared the knowledge but had both points and tool buried with me and 100 years from now I was dug up would an archaeologist say I was replicating  a paleo technique that could have contributed to the then body of knowledge. Archeology now has been further advance by this new development.

[iowabow]

The question is intent

To publish
Or just to learn

You do not  have to have others to learn therefore you could be a student of your own work. Lets say publish at home reflect then produce the reflect and produce again.

Publishing is an elitist pursuit and they write the definition but it doesn't make the term correct
The same thing happens in art...if an artist is not recognized by museums and galleries how can they be part of the dialogue. Keith Haring is a good example.

[iowabow]

The individual may not have the desire to publish but could be replicating just the same as someone with a desire to publish so both can have the intent to replicate.

[iowabow]

So I return to the beginning and state that ABO a term that defines a tool set....(see below)
Replicating is a term that defines an intent to duplicate a previous process, design or style (can add additional descriptors here) with a particular goal.
Publishing is an act that could follow and is not always in print form.

A person knapping with the intent of publishing is a knapper with two goals.

[iowabow]

Just for fun
By your definition.....

Replication....is an act of forgery by academics of prehistoric peoples

This is just tongue and cheek humor...it made me laugh.

[JackCrafty]

In response to replies #20 through #23:

Huh?


And in answer to this statement in particular:

Publishing is an elitist pursuit and they write the definition but it doesn't make the term correct.

Uh, what?     Splain pleeze.

(Edit:  On second thought, don't explain.  Your explanation will be published in this forum and we'll become elites if we acknowledge it.   )



And the definition:

Replication....is an act of forgery by academics of prehistoric peoples.

I dunno John, I don't think forgeries are commonly recorded on tape or with someone observing the published data on how it was done.  But yes, it is funny to think of an academic attempting a forgery in the area of lithic technology.     I've seen some attempts.  They ain't pretty!

[iowabow]

I will talk with at the classic lol

[iowabow]

And yes we are writing about it so yep we become the "elitist"

I am sure everyone gets a kick out of reading this post.

Remember guys this is just for fun and we are only playing with words.

[Outbackbob48]

John, I'm sure glad you were not my teacher in school. I'm confused  So I'm going to go an get my copper tools an have some fun knapping and enjoying the sun shine. See ya all thursday morning bright an early.  Bob

[JackCrafty]