The Organization of Chipped-Stone Economies at Piedras Negras ...

The term celtiform is used to describe a morphological trait, and not a specific
function, similar to how jade plaques are referred to as celts without having the function
of an axe. Celtiform refers to a petaloid form that is larger at one end than at the other.
This tool type is by far the most common biface at Piedras Negras, and can be found in
all stages of reduction and reuse. Indeed, impact fractures and polished bits at the distal
ends of these tools suggest that many were used as axes at one point in their use-life.
Thick celtiform-bifaces usually were made of a coarse- to medium-grained material that
was reduced with a direct-percussion technique by hammerstone. The rounded bit is
sometimes ground (see Figure 5.4), but usually is prepared by direct percussion. Use-
wear is highly variable, but the distal end usually shows evidence of the most intense use,
resharpening, and rejuvenation behavior. In rare cases, there is evidence of hafting polish,
or even pecking in the hafting area of the tool. The thickness of this form, and apparent
crudity of workmanship, can probably be attributed to the extreme durability of the raw
materials used, but also to the functional attributes required of the tool. The hard work
usually performed with this tool (the cutting of earth, stone, and wood) required both
thickness and durability.
Flakes removed in the creation of the thick celt should be referred to as biface-
reduction flakes, because the goal in removing them is not to thin the piece (cf. biface-
thinning flake). The term may be more efficacious, because the goal in removing them is
to produce the desired outline and to create a working bit that can be resharpened many
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