What is a core in stone tool terminology?

In stone tool terminology, a core refers to the main mass of stone from which flakes are removed during the tool-making process. The core is the source material that a toolmaker shapes by striking specific areas to detach sharp flakes, which can then be used as tools or modified further. Understanding cores is fundamental in studying lithic technology because they reveal the techniques and decisions made by prehistoric peoples in creating tools.

The other options describe aspects of stone tools but do not accurately capture the definition of a core. For instance, a sharp edge used for cutting pertains to the function of a finished tool rather than the core itself. A decorative element or a type of nodule suggests non-functional characteristics or aesthetics rather than practical tool-making processes, which are not relevant to the definition of a core in this context. Thus, identifying a core as the artifact from which flakes are removed correctly emphasizes its essential role in the creation of stone tools.