Bann flake

A bann flake is a large butt-trimmed leaf shaped flint or chert lithic blade, dating from the Late Mesolithic period in Ireland (6000 -4500 BC). They are named after the river Bann in Northern Ireland and were used as spear heads, being attached to wooden shafts. They are part of the Bann culture assemblage. Peter Woodman of University College Cork defines them as large flakes without a significant tang, with only light retouch. They come in two forms, elongated or laminar forms less than 3.2cm across and as wider leaf shapes having only very peripheral retouch at the butt.