Middle and Late Bronze Age Metal Tools from the Aegean, Eastern ...

functions in different areas. The presence of utilitarian tools, especially knives and razors,
on shipwrecks (Fig. 3.20g) is anticipated, since these objects are likely personal
possessions owned by individual crew members. These shipwreck tools were probably
all-purpose items of personal use, but it is not unreasonable that they were part of the
carpentry/masonry tool kits aboard or even included with the ship’s cargo for sale. The
shipwreck utilitarian tools were discovered with numerous wood- and stone-working
tools, thereby resembling several metal hoards (from land) that contained both categories
of tools.
VIII. Small craft tools
A separate category of functional tools was formed for implements whose
purpose is vaguely indicated and ultimately unclear. These tools are handheld and
relatively short and slender. Their tool edges are very narrow, applicable only for delicate
or minute work. These utensils had many functions, ranging from industrial craft work to
toiletry needs, so it cannot be verified that all tools under this classification were
employed for craft activity. Leather working, textile production (including creating sails),
basketry, manipulating sheet metal, engraving and writing are a few activities made
possible with small implements. 261 Seal and ivory working are additional craft industries
that called for small tools. Awls are occasionally classified as woodworking implements,
yet this identification excludes other legitimate functional possibilities. 262
For instance,
awls could pierce leather and other materials just as likely as wood. The definitive
functional identifications of these tools may be aided by contextual details, yet context
261 Evely 2000, 485-510 (textile working), 511-521 (basketry), 522-527 (leather working). Smith (2009, 80)
argues that the textile workshops at Kition-Kathari produced sails.
262 Catling (1964, 97-98) includes awls as part of his carpentry tools.
107