Large Hide Scraper

[arapahoscout]

I had posted this before, but the pics weren't very good. This is a large hide scraper I found a year or so ago.

[stagger]

Very nice find. Congrats!!

[The Grim Reaper]

Nice looking piece.

[joshuaream]

That is still about the biggest piece of Alibates I have ever seen.

I don't think it was a hide scraper, most of those are small so they could be pulled along the hide with some force, I'd go with a huge quarry blank. Unless you found it near the quarries, there are two groups who commonly made and travelled with big Alibates blanks like that, Clovis and the groups that made Harahey knives. Either way, it's a spectacular rock.

[naturegirl]

That's nice! and thanks for extra info Joshuareams

[catherine1]

Very very large preform. Nice material/pic also. Thanks for posting.

[arapahoscout]

Thanks for your responses, this is still my favorite native find that I have ever made. The location of the find makes it even better for me since it is my favorite hiking spot.

I agree that it seems quite large to be a typical hide scraper but with the flaking being so perfect for the form, it definately is not just a blank. It fits perfectly in your hand and when you hold it you can tell the cutting edge is just what it is. All of the work on the rounded side make a perfect cutting edge. It was found adjacent to a buffalo jump in an area that does not have native flint. The white residue is what appears to be animal fat petrified to the surface. It was found in a pile of cedar needles below a cedar bush.

Here is the report given by the IAGA.

Thank you for submitting the photos of your item for appraisal. Our appraisals are based on current market observations including both public and private sale data.

Based on the photos the piece appears to be a prehistoric butchering tool. The heavy duty construction and size signals that it was most likely used for large game. Pieces like this were utilitarian in nature and are commonly found on prehistoric kill sites where game was butchered. These pieces range anywhere from 1,000-12,000 years old and were used by all prehistoric cultures/tribes. It looks to be in overall good condition and would appraise between $150.00-$175.00 on the open market.

Thank you again for utilizing our appraisal service. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or needs.

Sincerely,
Joseph Mattingly
IAGA
P.O. Box 58481
Louisville, KY 40268

[Th3rty7]

What a monster. Great looking piece of material. I'd have to agree with Joshua on big blank.

[Treasure_Hunter]

Good chance it could also be a large hoe or was worked on to be a hoe and never quite finished.......No matter which way it goes it is a very nice piece with some nice flaking on the edges.....