ABSTRACT Obsidian flake tools are an important component of Early Horizon (ca. 800–400 B.C.) lithic assemblages in highland Peru. However, the functions of these tools have not been ascertained. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental project that tests the hypothesis that flake tools were used for shearing domesticated camelids (alpacas and llamas). A collection of 10 replicated flake tools were used to shear an alpaca over different amounts of time. Our results indicate that these implements provide an efficient means of shearing camelids, though their efficiency declines after prolonged use. Following the shearing experiment, optical light microscope (OLM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were undertaken to determine what kinds of use-wear were present on the tools. We tentatively conclude that shearing does leave recognizable edge-wear, including micro-chipping, faint striations, and residues, which we believe could be visible in Peruvian archaeological lithic assemblages.

中文翻译：

---

古代秘鲁用黑曜石剪骆驼？实验和使用磨损研究

摘要 黑曜石薄片工具是秘鲁高原早期地平线（约公元前 800-400 年）岩屑组合的重要组成部分。但是，这些工具的功能尚未确定。在本文中，我们展示了一个实验项目的结果，该项目测试了使用薄片工具剪切驯化骆驼科动物（羊驼和美洲驼）的假设。一组 10 个复制的薄片工具用于在不同的时间内剪切羊驼毛。我们的结果表明，这些工具提供了一种有效的剪切骆驼的方法，尽管它们的效率在长时间使用后会下降。在剪切实验之后，进行了光学显微镜 (OLM) 和扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 分析，以确定工具上存在哪些类型的使用磨损。