Tranchet flake

In archaeology, a tranchet flake is a characteristic type of flake removed by a flintknapper during lithic reduction.

It involves removing a flake parallel to the final intended cutting edge of the tool which creates a single straight edge as wide as the tool itself. It is found in some Acheulean assemblages and handaxes created using the method are called tranchet axes

References

• Darvill, T (ed.) (2003). Oxford Concise Dictionary of Archaeology, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-280005-1.