Znalezisko dwóch sierpów z krzemienia ożarowskiego w Dwikozach, pow. sandomierski

The article reports on two sickles made of Ożarów flint, stray finds from Dwikozy in the Sandomierz Upland (Fig. 1, 2) and reexamines earlier interpretations of the function of this form of sickle and technologies involved. Both these bifacial tools were made of tabular flint which is one of the two varieties of this lithic material sourced at Ożarów (Fig. 3, 4). Typologically the sickles are type AA forms according to the classification of Jerzy Libera (2001). A closer technological analysis revealed two stages of the manufacturing process. The first stage was reduction using the technique of direct percussion with a soft hammerstone. During the second stage the working edge was shaped by delicate retouch using the pressure technique. Additionally one of the sickles was found to retain marks of grinding, possibly associated with repairs or with non-utilitarian functions of this specimen. In each sickle most of the blade retained marks of heavy wear associated with the reaping of silica-rich plants. Furthermore, there were also traces of hafting with an organic material – antler or wood. The use-wear most likely was caused by farm work, or by jobs associated with construction – cutting reeds or peat used in water- and air-proofing domestic structures.