Museum complex

Laurel-leaf point (limace)

Middle Paleolithic
Mousterian
Flint
7 x 3 cm
Excavations by A.A. Formozov, 1953
Showcase 2

It is a limace of an elongated shape with two pointed ends, and slightly curved in profile. The longitudinal symmetrically convex edges, converging towards the ends, are processed with large retouch chips. The ends are sharpened almost equally, so it is likely that they were both used during the work. The retouch is applied to one side of the tool and covers the entire surface. Presumably the laurel-leaf point could be inserted into a bone or wooden handle.
It has a functional purpose: a universal tool for piercing, cutting and scraping various materials, possibly used as a dart tip.
It is a common tool of the Middle Paleolithic era in Europe.

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