I'm analysing a Late Mousterian lithic assemblage, some pieces show the removal of the overhang (corniche). The point of impact is generally much lower, thus the overhang removal wouldn't be helpful in the flaking process. Also, negatives of overhang removal are superimposed (subsequent) to the dorsal face negatives, thus it is not related to their flaking.
Hard to formulate an opinion without a drawing or photograph. However, you appear to suggest that it is unrelated to platform rejuvenation. Correct?
Thanks for the answer. I cannot provide pictures I am sorry. What I am suggesting (analysing the pieces) is that the platform is flat, wide and large: thus there was no intention or reason to remove the overhang as it would have not affected the impact point. the little removal negatives appear to be superimposed to precedent flake negatives, so, again, it was not related to their flaking, but subsequent. This feature appears mostly on big and large pieces, but it isn't like a thinning or a splinter.
It is hard for me to visualized exactly what you are talking about. For one, I can't see how the point of impact is lower than the overhang. Are these cores, bifaces, or unifaces? Or are the the pieces removed?
To clarify, normally when we talk of overhang removal we are talking about a striking platform where the area below the lip has migrated back due to successive bulbs of percussion undermining the platform, thus the optimal platform angle is lost and results in either shortened flakes or crushing and/or failure of the platform lip. Depending on configuration, the platform rejuvenation is accomplished by either removing the overhang parallel to the previous direction of flake removal or a blow perpendicular to the platform, which detaches the overhang. This appears to not be what you are talking about.
Some large tools have a edge that is "backed" by removing a piece along the edge in similar fashion to the perpendicular platform removal in order to create a flat, non-sharp backed edge for gripping.
I forgot to mention that I am talking about débitage products. with overhang I am meaning the part connecting the proximal dorsal face to the platform (the French corniche). It happens that I have tiny negatives on this part, suggesting the removal of some irregularities, maybe abrading it and smoothing the angle. the impact point on the platform (where the Hertz cone and bulb origins) is very much below, thus the presence or not of irregularities would be irrelevant for the good detachment of the flake. this traces of abrading/removal is always subsequent to precedent larger flakes' negatives on the dorsal face. Thus, my question is: do you know if there's some technique or hammer use that could result in this?
Yes, in flint-knapping the knapper can run the battered surface of the hammerstone along or perpendicular to the platform in order to eliminate any sharp edges.
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