What does hafting refer to in the context of stone tools?

Hafting specifically refers to the process of attaching a blade or point to a handle or shaft to create a more effective tool. This technique enhances the usability and functionality of the tool, allowing better control and leverage when cutting or striking. Hafting represents a significant advancement in tool-making, as it combines the sharpness and precision of stone blades with the additional utility of a handle, leading to the development of more complex and efficient tools in prehistoric cultures. This process is critical for understanding how early humans improved their toolkits and adapted to their environments.

In contrast, making a stone tool sharper pertains more to the initial shaping and flaking process rather than its final assembly. Removing flakes from a core is a part of the tool-making process but does not involve hafting. Creating decorative patterns on tools reflects a different aspect of cultural expression rather than functional enhancements like hafting.