Use-wear analysis of Early Mesolithic flake axes from South-eastern Norway

The flake axe is one of the most debated stone tools of the Scandinavian Mesolithic. Few analysis have however been carried out in order to investigate the actual function and use of the tool. In this paper we present the results from use-wear analysis of 42 flake axes from nine Early Mesolithic sites (9200-8400 cal. BC) from South-eastern Norway. This study demonstrates that the flake axe was a multi-tool used for several tasks and for working different raw materials. The results from the use-wear analysis are related to morphological variation among the analysed specimens. This suggests that there is no clear cut relation between morphological variation and function.