Biface

/ˈbaɪˌfeɪs/ noun

Definition

An early stone tool shaped by removing flakes from both sides to create sharp edges, common in prehistoric archaeology.

Etymology

From 'bi-' (two) + 'face.' The archaeological term describes the manufacturing technique of Paleolithic toolmakers who worked both surfaces of a stone to create symmetrical, multi-purpose cutting implements.

Kelly Says

The biface represents a cognitive leap in human evolution—creating a tool from both sides requires planning and spatial reasoning that suggests our ancestors were thinking in three dimensions hundreds of thousands of years ago.

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