Hafting is a process by which an artifact, often bone, metal, or stone, is attached to a handle or strap. This makes the artifact more useful by allowing it to be fired (as in the case of an arrowhead), thrown (as a spear), or leveraged more effectively (as an axe or adze).

Hafting is perhaps best known for its use by prehistoric man, but it is still practiced by enthusiasts today.

The hafting process

There must be some way to attach the artifact to the strap or shaft, and to this end, flanges are often created on one end (the end opposite the cutting edge). Flanges are produced by a process of knapping or grinding the excess stone away, resulting in indentations in the piece.

If a shaft or handle is to be used, it must also be prepared in some way. The wood or other material is often soaked in water to soften it, and a slit may be cut vertically into the center of the shaft. This provides a place for the "head" of the tool or weapon to fit.

The artifact can then be inserted into the slit, and fixed to the shaft by tying around the flanges with a suitable material. Alternatively, the head may simply be forced into the shaft, if the shaft is soft enough, eliminating the need for a slit (and perhaps improving durability). If a strap is used, it is tied directly to the flanges of the artifact.

Hafting in prehistory

The Neanderthal

Before their extinction about 24,000 years ago, the Neanderthals developed the extensive use of hafted stone tools. Archaeological investigation provides little evidence of the use of antler or bone.

The Cro-Magnon

The Cro-Magnon hafted antler points onto spears between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago.

The Clovis

The Clovis culture is noted for its use of hafted spears in the Americas around 11,000 years ago. Stone Clovis points were formed in a way that may have allowed them to break off on impact with a target.

Homo floresiensis

Hafted tools thought to have been created by Homo floresiensis up to 90,000 years ago have been discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores.