Description
This "cutting edge" Mesolithic technology may appear primitive compared to metal tipped spears and arrows from later periods, but it may very well be more terrifying.
Microliths are small, processed stone blades flaked off a prepared core of flint, chert, obsidian, or other knappable material. Several of them were glued on to the hafts of spears and arrows in different configurations. Seems simple, but they were viciously effective.
Let's look at a few archaeological examples, and also a historical account of the brutal effect of an Australian Aboriginal "death spear".
This video is *not* sponsored in any way, but there is something I have a personal interest in, which I'd like to bring to your attention. Please consider supporting Jarred Younger's research on ME/CFS by donating to the UAB:
go.uab.edu/youngerlab
The video about the research process that I referred to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCC9AWwXhsI
*** Sources / Credits ***
“Flintknapping a Quartz Microlith” by Pathways of the Past
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtyjCuWLnCs
“Microblade Microburin Microlith” by Blattspitze
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqIf6JsBZ_0
“Making 5 Tools from One Stone Core” by Paleolithic Productions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkeC55ohjgA
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Proyectiles_oseos_Magdaleniense.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crystal_spear_tips.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Traditional_Tools.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kebaran_Culture_Flint_Microliths.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesolithic_arrowhead_(FindID_95341).jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesolithic_microliths._(FindID_123724).jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microlith_in_hand.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microlith_tools_from_Ein_Qashish_South,_Jezreel_Valley,_Israel,Kebaran_and_Geometric_Kebaran_deposits(ca._23ka_and_ca._16.5ka_BP).jpg
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Complex-of-fi-ndings-discovered-within-dwelling-1-8-bone-arrowheads_fig5_330007148
https://journals.openedition.org/palethnologie/9457
Development of Microlithic Projectile Weapons in the Stone Age
https://biblio.naturalsciences.be/associated_publications/anthropologica-prehistorica/anthropologie-et-prehistoire/ap-111/ap111_95-101.pdf
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Location_and_images_of_the_observed_osseous_lesions_on_Jebel_Sahaba_skeleton_%22JS_14%22.webp
https://scitechdaily.com/jebel-sahaba-analysis-of-bones-reveals-a-succession-of-violence-rather-than-a-prehistoric-war/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-89386-y
The stone implements of Australia
https://media.australian.museum/media/Uploads/Journals/17336/515_complete.pdf
The Rönneholm Arrow
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324006992_The_Ronneholm_Arrow_A_Find_of_a_Wooden_Arrow-tip_with_Microliths_in_the_Bog_Ronneholms_Mosse_Central_Scania_Southern_Sweden
Direct evidence for poison use on microlithic arrowheads in Southern Africa
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adz3281
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/415448775_Poisoned_arrows_in_the_Danish_Early_Mesolithic_Testing_lithic_ballistic_morphometrics_against_faunal_and_archaeobotanical_data
https://www.rahs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02-The-spearing-of-Governor-Phillip-at-Manly-2025.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/415448775_Poisoned_arrows_in_the_Danish_Early_Mesolithic_Testing_lithic_ballistic_morphometrics_against_faunal_and_archaeobotanical_data
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-mesolithic-period/the-stone-age-hunters-bow-and-arrow/
https://nordjyskemuseer.dk/mikrolitter-stenalderens-hoejteknologi/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/44961847_Design_and_Performance_of_Microlith_Implemented_Projectiles_During_the_Middle_and_the_Late_Epipaleolithic_of_the_Levant_Experimental_and_Archaeological_Evidence
A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson by Captain Watkin Tench
https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00084.html
https://artoceanic.com/works/four-early-aboriginal-spears/
https://www.arthurbeaupalmer.com/gallery/aboriginal
Outtakes music:
"Little People At Work" by Horrorpen
https://opengameart.org/content/little-people-at-work-loop
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
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