This replica was inspired by the flint sickle found at the archaeological site of Karanovo in Bulgaria. It dates to the Neolithic time period around 7 to 8,000 years ago. Before the use of metal blades for cereal harvesting, flint blades from specially prepared cores were inserted in the pithy center of curved antler handles, and secured with pitch. This kind of sickle was very efficient and helped start the growth of agriculture. The site was excavated in the 1930's  and the original still resides in the National Museum of Archaeology there in Bulgaria. The piece was tested here for cutting different plant materials and woody stalks, and was retouched once along blade edges to do further testing. It is retired now, to serve as teaching tool for early farming in the European Neolithic. We found an elk antler at 11.5 inches long, similar to original, and the blades are a European flint, also struck from prepared cores and set in with pine pitch.