I've had some experience with flint knapping and it is much more difficult than many people imagine. You have to determine the best place to remove a flake and then turn the stone over and strike it on the back side above the area where you want to remove the flake. This requires a lot of concentration and dexterity! And that is a very simplified explanation of how it is done. There are other things to consider such as a abrading the edge, developing a platform and more! I can certainly see how it could improve cognition as well as communication skills needed to explain the process to others. Oh, and you definitely want to avoid chert dust in you mucous membranes as this can cause silicosis!
I find it curious that it is stated to be a modified lead-apatite structure. The term apetite is derived from the Greek word ἀπατάω (apatáō), which means to deceive. Having said that I truly hope this discovery is real!
I've had some experience with flint knapping and it is much more difficult than many people imagine. You have to determine the best place to remove a flake and then turn the stone over and strike it on the back side above the area where you want to remove the flake. This requires a lot of concentration and dexterity! And that is a very simplified explanation of how it is done. There are other things to consider such as a abrading the edge, developing a platform and more! I can certainly see how it could improve cognition as well as communication skills needed to explain the process to others. Oh, and you definitely want to avoid chert dust in you mucous membranes as this can cause silicosis!