A functional replica of a knife from the Neolithic period of Lake Contance, Germany.  This knife has been used in testing, and is now retired for use in teaching collection, display or demo.  It is still fully functional and has no damage or cracks, but has been resharpened and used several times.  The second picture above shows the original from the underwater archaeological site of Wangen-Hinterhorn under the shallow shore section of Lake Constance, which borders Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It dates to the Horgen Culture(around 5,000 years ago), when people were making shore villages called pile dwellings.   This style of knife is called a "fist knife" and our testing here shows that it was suited for sawing motions, such as cutting plant fiber and small wood saplings. This would have aided in preparing materials for basketry, traps, and smaller tools and weapons. It measures 4 inches across with a 3 inch biface, that has been resharpened for further use.