There is one fragmentary bone about 7 inches long, that was evidently
left over from the production of a splinter awl. It illustrates the
technique of bone cutting that was probably employed for producing
tools. A groove about ¹/₁₆ of an inch deep was cut encircling the
bone, and it was shaped into two pieces. Apparently some preliminary
smoothing had already been done, as suggested by additional scoring
marks. The authors tested various tools to determine which might be
most efficient in cutting such a groove. Flat sharp flakes or knives
could be used, but usually not enough pressure could be brought to
bear without breaking the tool. However, certain implements, called
“gravers” in this paper, were rather well adapted for such work.
The tool could be used as a plane for cutting. The two techniques
mentioned, in fact, could be compared to the cutting of wood with a
knife and with a saw whose teeth act as a multiple plane.