1. Gunflint or strike-a-light from Makala Kataa, 1990

Description:

An imported gunflint or strike-a-light recovered from late 19th-century Makala Kataa. Flint is a fine-grained stone that creates a spark when struck against iron. Gunflints were shaped pieces of stone placed into the hammer of a gun mechanism. Pulling the trigger released the hammer, causing the flint to strike a steel plate and creating sparks that lit the gun's powder. The flint's top face (bottom left view) has been beveled by the flint knapper and its side edges (top left) have been flaked or chipped. Its bottom surface is smooth (bottom right). Gunflints like these were made in large numbers in centers like Brandon, Suffolk, England and imported into West Africa in large quantities during the 18th and 19th centuries. These flints were also used to spark fires apart from their use in guns, giving rise to the name "strike-a-light." Photo scale in cm. Site Makala Kataa. 25 June, 1990.

Rights:

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial

Publisher:

University of Victoria Libraries

Provenance:

Makala Kataa, Station 10, Trench 1, Unit 2, Level 1

Date:

1990-06-25

Location(s) Facet:

Makala Kataa

Subjects:

Gunflint

Subjects Facet:

Firearms; Archaeology

Identifier:

SF MK10 90-014a

Creator:

Dr. Ann B. Stahl

Date searchable:

1990

Date searchable:

1990-06-25

Genre:

Digital image

Genre Facet:

Digital image

Source:

Dr. Ann B. Stahl

Location(s):

Makala Kataa;8.142724; -2.382957

Sketchfab Uid:

Commentary:

Composite photo made using Adobe Photoshop 2020

Geographic Coordinates:

8.142724; -2.382957