For most of human history throughout the world stone has been one of the primary materials used for making tools. David Noble, in his book Ancient Ruins of the Southwest: An Archaeological Guide, writes:
“The making of tools from stone was the first technology developed by human beings, who discovered that certain types of stone, when broken in just the right way, took on a sharp edge that could be used to chop, scrape, or cut.”
There are three basic ways that people make stone into useful tools: (1) by breaking (a process commonly called flintknapping), (2) by grinding, and (3) by pecking. Tools made by flintknapping include points (both spearpoints and later arrowpoints), knives, scrapers, and other cutting implements. Ground stone tools include hammers, grinding bowls, and dishes. Pecking can be used for making hammers and bowls.
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has several displays about the use of stone.
Den of Boddam
Not all stone can be used for making tools so areas where good stone is found are important resources. Flint is often used for tools with a cutting edge, such as knives, arrowheads, and scrapers. The Den of Boddam is Scotland’s only major source of good quality flint. According to the display:
“The pits at the Den of Boddam can be said to be evidence for Scotland’s first industry. There were more than a thousand of these bell-shaped pits; and the pits were dug to a depth of more than four metres.”
Other sources of flint included beach cobbles and cobbles in the glacial drift.
Creag na Caillich
Creag na Caillich is a source of a very fine-grain stone which can be used for making axeheads. According to the display:
“Extracting the stone here certainly involved a strong sense of purpose. Below the peak of Creage na Caillich, some 760 metres up the slopes, there is a narrow outcrop less than 500 metres long. Within this outcrop, only an area some 100 metres long contains deposits of stone suitable for making axeheads. This usable stone only extends to a depth of about four metres.”
Cunningsburgh
Cunningsburgh is a source of steatite which is used for making bowls and other containers, lamps, and weights. Steatite is also known as soapstone and has an oily or soapy feel. According to the display:
“The steatite at Cunningsburgh breaks along natural cleavage lines. It tends to break into shapes which allow square or rectangular items to be made more easily than round ones.”