how do they know what it was used for?
Prolly found evidence of a few lost patients.
That’s what I always wonder. Archeologists and such often throw out these wild assertions and speculation without providing any rationale or evidence to show how they reached such a conclusion.
.
I get the impression a lot that these guys are just winging it or engaging in wishful thinking to get attention (i.e., more funding).
Obviously, it was for brain surgery. And gutting fish.
I pick up obsidian nodules and any points or tools I find. We skinned our last elk mostly using rough obsidian tools. Rough because I am not a good knapper. I would break off a piece, hand it to my little boy or wife, and they would start skinning. Amazingly sharp.
Possibly the shape. Or maybe it had “scalpel” written down the handle.