cddogfan1,
I am a professional (by which I mean I get paid to do it, not that I am the world's best at it) archaeologist, and I can say that based upon the quantity and quality of stone tools that we recover on many sites that they were/are a VERY significant and important tool and the ability to manufacture them is a key skill set. Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion, but based on the evidence I stand by it. I'd also like to point out that not all stone is created equal. Here in the southeast there is no obsidian which is by far the best stone to work, in my opinion. Second best would be chert, but again this is lacking in parts of the southeast. Rhyolite and Quartz are what we get primarily here and they are both more difficult to work, but quartz is especially so, as it tends to shatter, and does not exhibit concoidal fracture patterns as well as other materials. So, not only are basic skill sets necessary, but one must also have skill sets or at least knowledge tailored to the type of stone which one has available. Again, I'm not much of a knapper and am going on what research I've read and what little I've done myself, so I'm sure there are errors in the above and that some far more experienced knappers will have other input. But at least we can keep this discussion alive.
Lagarto
