On bipolar reduction and splintered pieces (bipolar cores, pieces esquillees, prehistoric tools)

Objects variously called bipolar cores, pieces, esquillees, and other thing s are abundant in the record. Some interpret them as the exhausted remnants of bipolar reduction, others as wedges used with antler or bone. I propose that we call them 'splintered pieces' to avoid functional connotations. Sp lintered pieces illustrate the problem of equilfinality, different causes p roducing like consequences. A growing but uncertain consensus regards most splintered pieces as cores. Reviewing the latest expression of a different interpretation, I conclude that experimental, ethnographic, and archaeologi cal data continue to support the view that most--not all--splintered pieces are cores. Nevertheless, the need remains urgent to search ethnographic ac counts for support of the wedge view, to conduct further experiments, and t o seek conclusive archaeological association of splintered pieces with wedg ing.